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Copenhagen, 17 April 2009 (Somalilandpress) — The Arab
League has said that they will ask the United Nations to uplift the arms
embargo in Somalia so that Somali pirate groups can be fought.
The Arab League said that it will ask the United Nations Security
Council to lift the arms embargo that has been imposed on Somalia so
that the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia [TFG] can have the
opportunity to fight Somali pirates whose attacks along the Somali coast
and the Gulf of Aden has increased in the last few days and to also give
the TFG assistance on various sectors.
The Arab Leagues representative for African Affairs, Ambassador Samir
Husni said they will forward a request to the United Nations Security
Council in which they will request for the uplifting of the arms embargo
which is currently imposed on Somalia during an international conference
that the Arab League is attending in Copenhagen, Denmark which is
expected to discuss the problems of piracy along the Somali coast.
The Arab League official added that ever since the government led by
President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmad was formed in Somalia, there has
been an increasing need for uplifting of the arms embargo which was
imposed in Somalia way back in 1991. The arms embargo forbids giving of
any military equipment and arms to Somalia and that includes the uniform
for the military.
Samir Husni added that the only way the Somali government could be
successful in addressing the problems of piracy is by uplifting the arms
embargo so that the Somali government can have the power it needs to
fight these pirate groups. The envoy added that the Arab League is
determined to provide both political and logistical support to the
Somali government led by President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmad.
The Arab League official also said he doubts the real intent behind the
deployment of foreign Warships on Somalia’s territorial waters adding
that the Arab League will not be deploying war ships along the Somali
coast since other major powers have been not been successful in curbing
the problems of piracy having deployed their ships there.
Meanwhile, relatives of Egyptians who are being held captive by Somali
pirates and were aboard two ships that were captured have asked their
government to intervene in order to save the lives of their relatives.
The father of one of those being held hostage by Somali pirates has
asked the Egyptian government to take urgent measures in order to rescue
their nationals. The number of Egyptians held by the Somali pirates are
said to be up to 33 and were aboard two ships when they were taken
hostage by the pirates along the Somali coast.
Source: Somalilandpress
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