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| US crew urge Obama to end piracy | US crew urge Obama to end piracy |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| American crew members of a ship that was at the centre of a hostage drama have urged US President Barack Obama to end the "crisis" of Somali piracy. | American crew members of a ship that was at the centre of a hostage drama have urged US President Barack Obama to end the "crisis" of Somali piracy. |
| In an emotional news conference in Kenya, second-in-command Shane Murphy also paid tribute to their captain. | In an emotional news conference in Kenya, second-in-command Shane Murphy also paid tribute to their captain. |
| Captain Richard Phillips was rescued when American naval snipers opened fire on the pirates holding him in a lifeboat, killing three outright. | Captain Richard Phillips was rescued when American naval snipers opened fire on the pirates holding him in a lifeboat, killing three outright. |
| Mr Obama directly authorised Sunday's operation off Somalia's coast. | Mr Obama directly authorised Sunday's operation off Somalia's coast. |
| Capt Phillips is now resting after his five days of captivity as he is de-briefed aboard a US navy ship, the USS Boxer. | Capt Phillips is now resting after his five days of captivity as he is de-briefed aboard a US navy ship, the USS Boxer. |
| A fourth pirate, who was on board another American vessel negotiating with US officials when the captain was rescued, is in US custody. | A fourth pirate, who was on board another American vessel negotiating with US officials when the captain was rescued, is in US custody. |
| The pirates hijacked Capt Phillips' ship, the Maersk Alabama, which was carrying food aid, in the Indian Ocean last Wednesday. | The pirates hijacked Capt Phillips' ship, the Maersk Alabama, which was carrying food aid, in the Indian Ocean last Wednesday. |
| Capt Phillips told his crew to lock themselves in a cabin and surrendered himself to safeguard his men. | Capt Phillips told his crew to lock themselves in a cabin and surrendered himself to safeguard his men. |
| He was then taken hostage in an enclosed lifeboat that was soon shadowed by US warships and a helicopter. | He was then taken hostage in an enclosed lifeboat that was soon shadowed by US warships and a helicopter. |
| At a news conference on Monday in the Kenyan port of Mombasa, the Maersk Alabama's 19 crew thanked the US Navy for rescuing them and paid tribute to the courage of their captain. | At a news conference on Monday in the Kenyan port of Mombasa, the Maersk Alabama's 19 crew thanked the US Navy for rescuing them and paid tribute to the courage of their captain. |
| Chief mate Mr Murphy, 33, said: "Everyone you see here today has the captain to thank for their lives and their freedom but additionally it was an entire crew-wide effort." | Chief mate Mr Murphy, 33, said: "Everyone you see here today has the captain to thank for their lives and their freedom but additionally it was an entire crew-wide effort." |
| He added: "We'd like to implore President Obama to use all of his resources to increase the commitment to end the Somali pirate scourgeĀ It's a crisis." | He added: "We'd like to implore President Obama to use all of his resources to increase the commitment to end the Somali pirate scourgeĀ It's a crisis." |
| Next time we get American citizens... they [should] expect no mercy from us Abdi Garad Pirate chief How Captain Phillips was rescued Somali pirates living the high life | Next time we get American citizens... they [should] expect no mercy from us Abdi Garad Pirate chief How Captain Phillips was rescued Somali pirates living the high life |
| The BBC's Jonah Fisher in Mombasa says the one remaining question surrounding the Maersk Alabama is how its crew of merchant seamen managed to fight off Somali pirates equipped with AK-47s. | The BBC's Jonah Fisher in Mombasa says the one remaining question surrounding the Maersk Alabama is how its crew of merchant seamen managed to fight off Somali pirates equipped with AK-47s. |
| The crew refused to provide an answer because they said the techniques they used were being kept secret to help other ships resist pirate attack. | The crew refused to provide an answer because they said the techniques they used were being kept secret to help other ships resist pirate attack. |
| Earlier Mr Obama said Capt Phillips' courage was a "model for all Americans" and that he was resolved to deal with the threat of piracy in the region. | Earlier Mr Obama said Capt Phillips' courage was a "model for all Americans" and that he was resolved to deal with the threat of piracy in the region. |
| Capt Phillips has spoken to his wife and family back in the US and is said to be looking forward to celebrating Easter when he gets home. | Capt Phillips has spoken to his wife and family back in the US and is said to be looking forward to celebrating Easter when he gets home. |
| He tried to escape on Thursday night by diving into the sea but was recaptured by the pirates. | He tried to escape on Thursday night by diving into the sea but was recaptured by the pirates. |
| A day after negotiations with the gang broke down, snipers opened fire on Sunday from a nearby warship as a pirate pointed a gun at the captive, the navy said. | A day after negotiations with the gang broke down, snipers opened fire on Sunday from a nearby warship as a pirate pointed a gun at the captive, the navy said. |
| MAJOR PIRATE INCIDENTS Ukrainian ship MV Faina seized on 25 Sep 2008, held till 5 Feb 2009Saudi tanker Sirius Star released in January after $3m ransom paidAt least 15 pirate attacks reported during March 2009 aloneUK-owned Malaspina Castle seized on 6 April 2009 Growing sophistication of pirates Q&A: Somali piracy Profile: Capt Richard Phillips | |
| After the pirates were shot, navy personnel sailed to the lifeboat and released Capt Phillips, whom they found tied up inside. | After the pirates were shot, navy personnel sailed to the lifeboat and released Capt Phillips, whom they found tied up inside. |
| The ship's owner, Maersk Line Ltd, has also praised the captain's behaviour. | The ship's owner, Maersk Line Ltd, has also praised the captain's behaviour. |
| Chief executive John Reinhart said Capt Phillips had told him: "I'm just the byline, the heroes are the Navy Seals who brought me home." | Chief executive John Reinhart said Capt Phillips had told him: "I'm just the byline, the heroes are the Navy Seals who brought me home." |
| In Eyl, a pirate stronghold on the Somali coast, one pirate chief reportedly threatened revenge against Americans. | In Eyl, a pirate stronghold on the Somali coast, one pirate chief reportedly threatened revenge against Americans. |
| "We will intensify our attacks even reaching very far away from Somalia waters, and next time we get American citizens... they [should] expect no mercy from us," Abdi Garad told the Associated Press by telephone. | "We will intensify our attacks even reaching very far away from Somalia waters, and next time we get American citizens... they [should] expect no mercy from us," Abdi Garad told the Associated Press by telephone. |
| Four French citizens, including a three-year-old boy, were freed aboard a yacht by French troops on Friday. | Four French citizens, including a three-year-old boy, were freed aboard a yacht by French troops on Friday. |
| The yacht's owner, Florent Lemacon, was killed during the operation by French special forces, along with two pirates. | The yacht's owner, Florent Lemacon, was killed during the operation by French special forces, along with two pirates. |
| On Saturday, pirates hijacked a tugboat in the Gulf of Aden. The Buccaneer has 16 crew members on board, 10 of them Italians. | On Saturday, pirates hijacked a tugboat in the Gulf of Aden. The Buccaneer has 16 crew members on board, 10 of them Italians. |