Official: Saudi Arabia prevents military act to release super tanker
An official at the Somali Foreign Ministry has claimed that the Somali Government might move officially against the pirates who seized the Saudi oil tanker and that this move might take the form of military action to liberate the super tanker anchored off the Somali coasts. But, according to Mareeg online, he noted that the timing of this move "depends on the desire of the tanker's owners", and noted that the latter are asking the Somali Government to wait and not attack the pirates.
Over the past two weeks, those pirates have seized eight vessels, including the huge Saudi supertanker carrying $100 million worth of crude oil. On his part, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal said Friday he was opposed to any negotiations with pirates, reiterating his assertion that sea piracy was "like terrorism."
Meanwhile, a Greek shipping company confirmed that it paid ransom for the release of its tanker by Somali pirates. According to the AP, the ship with its 19-person crew was seized almost two months ago. Both crew and cargo are said to be fine.