NATO warships to patrol Somalian coast

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Source: CCTV.com | 10-10-2008 09:54

At the same meeting in Budapest, NATO defense ministers also agreed to send warships to patrol the coast of Somalia.

Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer of NATO  answers a journalist's question in Hotel Sofitel, Budapest, after their plenary session. (AFP/Attila Kisbenedek)

The move is intended to deter pirate attacks and escort UN food aid ships to the east African nation.

The chief spokesman for the alliance says a NATO naval force, currently based in the Mediterranean, will sail to the Horn of Africa in two weeks, and will stay there until at least December.

The force consists of destroyers from Italy and the US, frigates from Germany, Greece, Turkey, and Britain, as well as a support ship from Germany.

Pirates leave the merchant vessel MV Faina (not shown) for the Somali shore, while under observation by a U.S. Navy ship, in this picture taken on October 8, 2008 and released October 9. REUTERS/Jason R. Zalasky/U.S. Navy/Handout (SOMALIA)

Concerted international efforts against piracy have been growing, following the seizure by pirates last month of a Ukrainian ship, which was carrying tanks and heavy weaponry.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei