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Pirates release ship for 'ransom' Pirates release ship for 'ransom'
(40 minutes later)
Somali pirates have released a Togo-flagged cargo ship seized last week, reportedly after a ransom was paid.Somali pirates have released a Togo-flagged cargo ship seized last week, reportedly after a ransom was paid.
The 5,000-tonne Lebanese-owned MV Sea Horse was taken by gunmen on 14 April in up to four skiffs east of Mogadishu. The 5,000-tonne Lebanese-owned MV Sea Horse was taken by gunmen in up to four skiffs on 14 April east of Mogadishu.
A pirate source told Reuters news agency that they had received a ransom of $100,000 (£68,000).A pirate source told Reuters news agency that they had received a ransom of $100,000 (£68,000).
Pirates have intensified attacks on shipping in recent weeks in one of the world's busiest sea lanes, despite patrols by several foreign navies. Pirates have intensified attacks on shipping in recent weeks in one of the world's busiest sea lanes, despite patrols by foreign navies.
"Somali traders were involved in the release of this ship. They mediated and paid some money. I think it was not more than $100,000," a source told Reuters by telephone."Somali traders were involved in the release of this ship. They mediated and paid some money. I think it was not more than $100,000," a source told Reuters by telephone.
Peter Smerdon, a spokesman for the World Food Programme (WFP), told AFP news agency the cargo ship, which was on its way to pick up food aid, had been released on Friday. The World Food Programme said the cargo ship had been released on Friday.
Shipping companies last year handed over about $80m (£54m) in ransom payments to Somali pirates. The UN said the Sea Horse had been heading to Mumbai, India, to pick up 7,300 tonnes of food aid for Somalia. About three million people - half the Somalia population - need assistance, donors say.
The Horn of Africa nation has been without an effective government since 1991, fuelling the lawlessness which has allowed the pirates to thrive. Cat and mouse
Efforts to stop the raiders have so far had only limited success, with international naval patrols struggling to cover the vast areas of ocean where the gangs operate. At the weekend, Nato foiled two pirate attacks - the latest in a string of successful Western military operations against the gangs.
Warships and helicopters prevented an attempt by raiders to board a Norwegian tanker after an overnight pursuit in the Gulf of Aden on Sunday.
And the day before, Dutch commandos freed 20 pirate hostages from Yemen.
But Somali pirates also managed to seize a Belgian ship and its 10 crew on Saturday.
Shipping companies last year handed over about $80m (£54m) in ransom payments to the gangs.
The Horn of Africa nation has been without an effective government since 1991, fuelling the lawlessness which has allowed piracy to thrive.
In the maritime game of cat and mouse, international naval patrols struggle to cover the vast areas of ocean where the gangs operate.