Red sea countries meet to discuss strategy against piracy

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Source: CCTV.com | 11-21-2008 10:11

Representatives of six Arab countries have held an emergency meeting to try to forge a common strategy against piracy.

Piracy in the Gulf of Aden is threatening a key international trade route through the Red Sea.

Representatives of six Arab countries have held an emergency meeting to try to forge a common strategy against piracy. (CCTV.com)

Ambassadors to Egypt from Djibouti, Jordan, Somalia, Sudan, and the Arab League gathered at the Egyptian Foreign Ministry in Cairo to discuss ways to tackle the issue.

An Egyptian official said these included setting up a piracy-monitoring center, joint maneuvers by Arab navies, and a warning system for ships navigating through the Red Sea.

Egypt is concerned the recent surge in piracy will prompt shipping companies to opt for safer routes that avoid Egypt's Suez Canal.

The Suez, which links the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean, is a major source of revenue for Egypt.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei