US stands by to help in Malacca Straits

The United States is standing by to offer assistance in further enhancing security in the Straits of Malacca, a US official said in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday.

The United States hopes to know what assistance it can offer to the littoral states of the straits in this regard, US Ambassador to Malaysia Christopher LaFleur said at a scholarship-awarding ceremony.

The US was concerned about rising piracy in the international sea lane, which could threaten some 50,000 vessels going through the waters each year, he said.

The United States shared the interest of having safety and security in the straits strengthened, and can cooperate with regional countries, if needed, he added.

The US ambassador made these remarks after Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak Tuesday said that Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore, the three littoral states of the Straits of Malacca, will mobilize their military assets, including aircraft, to fulfill their coordinated patrol mission along the straits.

Some local media reports said that the three littoral nations are also considering offers of aircraft from Russia, the United States and other countries.

Source: Xinhua