United Nations Radio

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has expressed his concern at new acts of piracy off the coast of Somalia in recent days.

And he's reiterated his condemnation of all acts of piracy and armed robbery at sea wherever they occur.

A statement from the UN Spokesman's office says the Secretary-General strongly supports efforts by member states to address this scourge and is working closely with the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia, the International Maritime Organization, NATO, the European Union, and other member states to ensure a coordinated international effort to fight piracy.

The statement says the Secretary-General welcomes the European Union's decision to authorize the deployment of a maritime force off the coast of Somalia, and the efforts of individual member states to send vessels, which will strengthen security in the area.

He also looks forward to the Secretary-General of International Maritime Organisation's briefing to the United Nations Security Council.

This is Donn Bobb reporting for United Nations Radio.

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