Norway Selects British Frigates In $13.5B Defense Deal
By Nora Buli and Terje Solsvik OSLO, Aug 31 (Reuters) – Norway said on Sunday it had chosen Britain as its strategic partner for the acquisition of new frigates in its biggest...
In a completely unrelated incident from the Maersk Alabama situation, the Associated Press and other news sources are reporting that the French Navy has stormed a sail boat being held hostage by Somali pirates in a bid to free the hostages on board.
France’s navy stormed a French sailboat held by pirates off the Somali coast Friday in an assault triggered by threats the passengers would be executed, but one hostage was killed in the operation, French Defense Minister Herve Morin said.
Two pirates also were killed. Four hostages, including a small child, were freed.
In a break with French government policy, authorities proposed a ransom but the pirates rejected the offer, Morin said. Three pirates were taken prisoner.
A grim-faced Morin said that “negotiations were leading nowhere, and the boat was approaching the coast.” He said French President Nicolas Sarkozy gave the order to attack. It came at 3:30 p.m. Paris time (1330 GMT) some 20 nautical miles off the coast of Somalia. Read full story…
Sign up for gCaptain’s newsletter and never miss an update
Subscribe to gCaptain Daily and stay informed with the latest global maritime and offshore news
Stay informed with the latest maritime and offshore news, delivered daily straight to your inbox
Essential news coupled with the finest maritime content sourced from across the globe.
Sign Up