NATO to send warships to Somalian waters
Published: Thursday 09 October 2008 19:45 UTC
Last updated: Friday 10 October 2008 09:49 UTC
At a meeting in the Hungarian capital Budapest, NATO countries have decided to send seven warships to Somalian waters this month. Their mission is to protect freighters carrying United Nations food aid against pirates. The warships will also protect other shipping in the area.The Dutch government announced on Monday that it would send Navy frigate De Ruyter to Somalia. The move comes following a request by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon for the protection of UN convoys. In the past year, Somalian pirates have attacked 32 ships.