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Sunday, July 27, 2008
Madrid. Spain's Defence Minister Carme Chacon called Sunday for an international naval force to be sent to Somalia's treacherous waters to protect fishing fleets from rampant piracy AFP reports.
"Spain is ready to work for the immediate deployment of a multinational naval force in Somali waters to combat piracy," Chacon said in an interview with Spanish daily El Pais.
"We want it deployed as soon as possible because the fishing season is restarting."
The coastal waters of Somalia -- which has not had an effective central government for more than 17 years and is plagued by insecurity -- are considered to be among the most dangerous in the world.
More than 25 ships were seized by pirates in Somali coastal waters last year, according to the International Maritime Bureau, a United Nations agency.
Source: Ifocus, July 27, 2008