"This outrageous act by the pirates, I think, will only reinforce the
resolve of the countries of the Red Sea and internationally to fight
piracy," Saudi said during a visit to Athens on Nov. 18. "Piracy is against
everybody. Like terrorism it is a disease that has to be eradicated."
The foreign minister said Riyad would join an international initiative
against piracy in the Red Sea. Saud did not elaborate.
"This is an initiative in which we are going to join, and so are many
other countries of the Red Sea," Saud said.
On Nov. 15, a Saudi oil tanker, believed to be carrying 2.2 million
barrels of oil, was seized by pirates near Yemen. The cargo was said to be
worth up to $150 million.
Officials said Riyad authorized Yemen and other countries to search for
the oil tanker, identified as Sirius Star. They said no Saudi force was
given the jurisdiction to leave the kingdom's territorial waters.
"Yemen is fully carrying out its duty toward the humanitarian issue,"
Saudi Border Guard commander Lt. Gen. Talal Anqawi said.
In an interview with the Saudi-owned A-Sharq Al Awsat daily, Anqawi said
his unit was not given responsibility for protecting Saudi commercial
vessels from pirates. In a statement that contradicted Saud, the general
said Riyad would not join an international force against pirates.
NATO has sought Saudi cooperation in regional security, including the
battle against pirates. The Western alliance has deployed seven ships near
Somalia.
