Russian Warship given Permission to use Force against Somali Pirates

The Somali government has given permission to Russia's naval to enter it's territorial waters and use force against the pirates who've hijacked the Ukranian cargo ship, Faina. Pirates are holding the ship's crew and cargo, 33 Russian T-72 tanks, RPG's, AK-47s and anti-aircraft for $20 million in ransom. Currently the ship is surround by several US Navy warships which are there to prevent the pirates from unloading the cargo on shore.

Somalia has a government?Reuters

NAIROBI (Reuters) - Somali authorities have given Russia's navy the go-ahead to use force against pirates holding a Ukrainian ship hijacked with 33 tanks on board, a maritime official said on Wednesday.

Russia has sent a warship, but it has yet to arrive off lawless Somalia, where gunmen demanding $20 million seized the MV Faina last week. U.S. naval ships are watching the vessel, hijacked near one of the world's busiest shipping routes.

"The Somali government has given permission to the Russian navy to enter Somali waters and use force," said Andrew Mwangura, an official of the Mombasa-based East African Seafarers Assistance Program.