Pirates halt Somali aid shipments

Source: BBC News

Last Updated: Monday, 21 May 2007, 09:09 GMT 10:09 UK

Pirates halt Somali aid shipments

Deliveries of food aid to Somalia by sea have been halted,
after an attempt by pirates to seize a ship chartered by
the UN food relief agency.

The head of the World Food Programme said their programme
to feed one million Somalis is under threat.

The WFP-chartered vessel was attacked on Saturday off the
Somali port of Merka after it had just delivered 4,000
tons of food.

The pirates killed a guard who was among a group sent
to intercept them.

Following the attack, the agents for a ship loaded with
food in Mombasa in Kenya have refused to allow the vessel
to set sail for Somalia until they are given an armed
escort.

-snip-

Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6675117.stm