Kenya says committed to the fight against piracy, terrorism

Source: Xinhua | 04-18-2009 16:51

NAIROBI, April 17 (Xinhua) -- The Kenyan government said Friday it was committed to the fight against global terrorism and piracy which have hampered human and humanitarian security.

Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki expressed the government commitment to collaborate with the international community to assist neighboring Somalia stabilize and contribute to security initiatives in the high seas.

Kibaki said the government was formulating the necessary legislation to effectively combat financing of terrorism activities and related illegal trade in the country.

A statement from the presidency said the Kenyan leader made the remarks in Nairobi when he held discussions with a visiting U.S. congressional delegation led by a member of the armed forces House Committee Adam Smith that paid him a courtesy call.

"The talks were centered on insecurity in the Indian Ocean posed by piracy, and how best it could be addressed," the statement said.

President Kibaki said an anti-terrorism laundering bill was ready for re-introduction in parliament when the house opens next week.

Other steps taken by the government to combat terrorism, he noted, include establishment of anti-terrorism police unit, stationing of army battalions along the Kenya-Somalia border and legislation to detect and punish suspected terrorists.

Kibaki also thanked the US government for the continued support to Kenya's efforts in the fight against terrorism and related threats.

Speaking during the meeting Smith said the U.S. will continue collaborating with Kenya and other countries to fight piracy and terrorism threats.

Editor:Shi Taoyang