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Malaysia deploys navy to Somalia | Malaysia deploys navy to Somalia |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Malaysia is sending three navy ships to the coast of Somalia to protect merchant vessels from piracy. | Malaysia is sending three navy ships to the coast of Somalia to protect merchant vessels from piracy. |
The ships, carrying troops and helicopters, are expected to begin patrolling in the Gulf of Aden in the next few days. | The ships, carrying troops and helicopters, are expected to begin patrolling in the Gulf of Aden in the next few days. |
Two Malaysian tankers from the shipping line MISC Berhad were seized last month by Somali pirates. | Two Malaysian tankers from the shipping line MISC Berhad were seized last month by Somali pirates. |
The seas off Somalia, close to busy shipping routes, have some of the highest rates of piracy in the world. | The seas off Somalia, close to busy shipping routes, have some of the highest rates of piracy in the world. |
The country has been without a functioning central government for 17 years and has suffered from continual civil strife. | The country has been without a functioning central government for 17 years and has suffered from continual civil strife. |
Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak said the ships being deployed would provide protection for five MISC Berhad vessels, and would not launch rescue operations. | Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak said the ships being deployed would provide protection for five MISC Berhad vessels, and would not launch rescue operations. |
Counting ships | Counting ships |
Officials in the semi-autonomous Somali region of Puntland say the ships are being held at the port of Eyl, a lawless outpost controlled by gangs. | Officials in the semi-autonomous Somali region of Puntland say the ships are being held at the port of Eyl, a lawless outpost controlled by gangs. |
Puntland's minister for mines, who is leading a delegation to investigate the hijackings, told the BBC Somali Service from a hill overlooking the port that he could count eight captured vessels. | Puntland's minister for mines, who is leading a delegation to investigate the hijackings, told the BBC Somali Service from a hill overlooking the port that he could count eight captured vessels. |
He said another two were reported to be on their way to Eyl. | He said another two were reported to be on their way to Eyl. |
The delegation had spoken to local elders, he said, but it had not approached the pirates. | The delegation had spoken to local elders, he said, but it had not approached the pirates. |
The latest vessel to be hijacked was an Egyptian ship which was reported missing on Thursday. | The latest vessel to be hijacked was an Egyptian ship which was reported missing on Thursday. |
Earlier this week a French sailing boat with two crew was seized. | Earlier this week a French sailing boat with two crew was seized. |
Pirates holding that boat are reportedly seeking a ransom of more than $1m (£0.56m). | |
Puntland's ports minister said after the capture of the French boat that pirates in the region were well-armed and employ a lot of people. | Puntland's ports minister said after the capture of the French boat that pirates in the region were well-armed and employ a lot of people. |
He said there was little co-ordination between those trying to tackle them. | He said there was little co-ordination between those trying to tackle them. |
In June, the UN Security Council voted to allow countries to send warships into Somalia's waters to tackle the pirates, but the ports minister complained that international vessels "don't intervene". | In June, the UN Security Council voted to allow countries to send warships into Somalia's waters to tackle the pirates, but the ports minister complained that international vessels "don't intervene". |
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