Russia to work with US against Somalia piracy

LIMA: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said he had agreed with US counterpart Condoleezza Rice on the need to step up the fight against piracy around Somalia, Russian news agencies reported.

"We agreed on the need for greater efforts, in the framework of the UN Security Council, in the fight against piracy. It's necessary to think what steps the Council could take," said Lavrov yesterday.

"It's necessary to do everything to fight this evil not only in open waters but to try to bring order on the coast of Somalia, in coordination with the legitimate government of that country.

"We agreed to think about what steps could be worked out in this regard," Lavrov said on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in Peru, where he met Rice.

His comments came as Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and US President George W Bush were to meet in a possibly tense last encounter before Bush steps down.

Numerous Russian sailors have fallen foul of piracy off Somalia. On Thursday, Moscow announced it was sending more naval ships to the region in addition to the frigate Neustrashimy (Fearless), which has engaged pirates in the area in coordination with other navies.