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Somali pirates release Egyptian ship |
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16:31, September 28, 2008 |
A regional maritime official on Sunday confirmed the release of an Egyptian ship and its 25 crew members after being captured in the Gulf of Aden earlier three weeks ago.
Andrew Mwangura of the East Africa's Seafarers Assistance Program said the MV Al-Monsourah was freed on Saturday after the ship owners paid a ransom of 1.2 million U.S. dollars.
"The Egyptian MV Al-Monsourah was released on Saturday after the ship owners paid 1.2 million dollars ransom," Mwangura told Xinhua by telephone on Sunday.
Mwangura said the development came after 20 days of negotiations between the pirates and the Egyptian intelligence, adding that the vessel was now in international waters and on its way to Egypt.
The Horn of Africa nation's coastline is considered one of the world's most dangerous stretches of water because of piracy.
The country has been plagued by factional fighting and has not had a functioning central administration since the 1991 ouster of former ruler Mohammed Siad Barre.
Source:Xinhua
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