[10 September 2008]

SANA'A, Sep. 10 (Saba) - Deputy Prime Minister for Security and Defense affairs Rashad al-Alimi held talks here on Wednesday with the ambassadors of US, European Commission (EC), Japan and Malaysia on the piracy phenomenon off the Somali coasts.

The meeting dealt with the risks of this phenomenon and its negative consequences and damages on the international navigation as well as impacts on the regional security.

During the meeting, attended by Minister of Defense, Interior Minister, Minister of Transport, Deputy Foreign Minister and several concerned officials, al-Alimi briefed the ambassadors to efforts Yemen exerts to combat this phenomenon in spite of limited potentials.

He accentuated the importance of regional and international cooperation to but an end to the piracy acts and to support government's efforts, especially in establishing regional centers for monitoring piracy and providing support to Yemeni coastguard and marine forces.

AF/AF


Saba