AllAfrica: Somali Pirates to Release Saudi Tanker

Somali pirates have reportedly agreed to release the Saudi super-tanker, Sirius Star, withdrawing a 25 million dollar ransom demand.

"We decided to respect the request of Saudi Foreign Affairs Minister Saud Al-Faysal who asked us to release the ship..." Press TV correspondent quoted pirate's spokesman Mohammed Said as saying.

However, he did not say when the giant oil tanker would be released.

The news comes amid other reports suggesting the possible release of the 'arm-laden' Ukrainian vessel, MV Faina, which was captured by Somali pirates off the Horn of Africa in September.

The latest positive development in pirate-infested waters of Somalia comes a few weeks after Al-Shabaab forces took over the port town of Hobyo where many hijacked ships, including Sirius Star have been docked.

The capture of the 330-metre long Sirius Star, carrying two million barrels of oil on November 15, sent shockwaves through the shipping world prompting many shipping firms to consider a detour round South Africa.

The pirates demanded a $25 million ransom, but the Saudi authorities strongly opposed the idea of negotiating with hijackers and Prince Saud al-Faysal said it would be up to the owners of the vessel to decide how to deal with piracy.

However in spite of international pledges of tough action, the pirates continue to roam Somalia's waters and beyond, seizing half-a-dozen ships over the past two weeks and efforts to stop them have not been impressive.

FF/RA