Somali pirates captured Saudi tanker

04.03.2010 Source: RIA Novosti, photo: Somali pirates (topnews.in)

Somali pirates hijacked Saudi Arabian vessel with 14 crewmen on board, informed Wednesday Reuters citing Andrew Mwangura, coordinator of East Africa Seafarers Assistance Program.

According to him, tanker ?l Nisr al Saudi with deadweight of 5,140 tons was captured on Monday in the Gulf of Aden. The ship was sailing from Japan to west Saudi town Jidda. The tanker's crew consists of 13 Sri Lankans and 1 Greek.

No ransom demands have been received so far, reports the agency.

Somalia can't find the answer to the problem of piracy since this country ceased to exist as united state in 1991 with falling of Siad Barre dictatorship governed the country since late 60-ies. Currently, international community recognizes Federal Government of Somalia as the only lawful authority in the country; however, the named government controls only a part of capital city, Mogadishu. The rest parts of Somalia are either under control of unrecognized state formations or self-governed territories which leaders have different and sometimes even contrary views on integration under reign of Mogadishu.

According to International Maritime Bureau, in 2009 Somali pirates carried out 217 attacks and captured 47 vessels.