United Nations Radio

The Security Council has extended its authorization for countries to enter the territorial waters of Somalia to fight piracy.

The resolution which was approved by all 15 members of the Council is aimed at combating the problem posed by Somali pirates who seize ships for ransom.

Ambassador Jean Maurice Ripert of France, one of the co-sponsors of the resolution, told reporters that pirates are threatening the lives of three million Somalis who depend on supplies brought into Somalia by sea.

He said the resolution gives the European Union a legal basis for launching Operation Atalanta on 8 December.

"We are sending four to five ships, will be there operating under European control with the headquarters in the United Kingdom. And we will have the legal basis to fight decisively pirate ships. We can act against all the people who are threatening the lives of the Somali people and also essential vessels which are cruising on the sea off the coast of Somalia."

Ambassador Ripert also said that in the absence of an internationally agreed legal mechanism to deal with this problem, States have the right to prosecute pirates.

France has already arrested some 12 pirates.

Diane Bailey, United Nations.

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