Yemeni-French navy exercise on intercepting ships, fight pirates

ADEN, Oct 08 (Saba) - The country coastguards and some of the French
navy based in the international waters in the Arab Sea have started
joint exercises.

These exercises, which will last for fifteen days, include
trainings on how Yemeni coastguards can intercept ships and fight
pirates.

They come within bilateral cooperation in the fight on terrorism and
securing international sea lanes.

Piracy in the Gulf of Aden and off Somalia's coasts has been active
because of civil conflict in Somalia.

Recently pirate attacks have increased with more than 30 ships
seized off Somalia in this year, the latest was a Ukrainian vessel
carrying about 33 72-T Russian tanks and other weapons said to be
bound for Kenya.

French ambassador to Yemen Gilles Gauthier said the Yemeni-French
relations have witnessed development particularly after the London
donor conference held in 2006.

Gauthier praised Yemen's efforts in fighting terrorism, pointing out
that the fight against terror is a complicated matter as few
terrorists cause huge problems for countries.

He said countries must continue the fight on terror because this
phenomenon affects economy and development.