UN Boosts Members' Powers to Fight Africa Piracy

Navy vessels can follow hijackers into Somali waters
By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff
Posted Jun 3, 2008 12:56 PM CDT
UN Boosts Members' Powers to Fight Africa Piracy
A pirate skiff burns after being hit by several rounds from a 25mm gun aboard guided missile destroyer USS Porter. The skiff belonged to a group of pirates that had taken a cargo ship off Somalia.    (AP Photo/US Navy)

With piracy a growing problem off the Horn of Africa, the UN will allow its members to combat pirates using “all necessary means,” including chasing them into Somali waters, CNN reports. Somalia’s transitional government supports the move. More than two dozen pirate attacks have been reported in the area in 2008, including nine successful hijackings.

Somalia's interim president asked for help during consideration of the resolution, the Telegraph reports: "The issue of piracy is beyond our present means and capabilities," he said. (More piracy stories.)

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