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March 5, 2009NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Somali pirates freed an Egyptian cargo ship
and its crew of 28 after holding the vessel for more than two months,
an Egyptian ambassador said Thursday.Ambassador to Somalia Saeed Morsy said the ship was released Wednesday but did not say if any ransom was paid.
The
Blue Star was carrying 6,000 tons of fertilizer when 15 armed pirates
seized it Jan. 1 as it passed through the Red Sea and entered the Gulf
of Aden.
Pirate attacks have continued off the Somali coast
despite the presence of warships to protect commercial shipping. But
the naval presence is having some effect; the pirates' success rate at
taking over a vessel has fallen from nearly 50 percent to around 30
percent.
Analysts say the attacks will continue as long as
chaotic Somalia provides a haven for pirate bases and its people remain
impoverished.
SOURCE: AFP, March 5, 2009