Restoration of stability, peace in Somalia key to solving piracy: Colombia

Somalia's piracy can only be solved by the long-term solution of restoration of stability and peace, Colombia said Tuesday.

The statement came as Nestor Osorio, Colombian ambassador to the UN, addressed a Security Council open door meeting on Somalia' s piracy.

"The only long-term solution to the problem of piracy is the restoration of the stability and peace in Somalia," Osorio said. " Consequently an effective international strategy requires coordinated and coherent use of available resources, but also to build on existing capacities."

Calling it a "critical situation," Osorio noted the limited capacity of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) to intercept pirates and prosecute them, in addition to providing security in the waters of the coast.

"The disruption of arms trafficking through the Gulf of Aden and targeted sanctions against the most important leaders and those who protect them would significantly contribute to international efforts against piracy," he said.

Colombia stresses the primacy of the judiciary and correctional component in an international strategy to combat piracy, Osorio said.

"We insist that the TFG has the primary responsibility for combating piracy and armed robbery off the coast of Somalia," he said.

The United Nations should lead the international response to this "growing problem and that, a stable and lasting solution requires a comprehensive approach towards stabilization and strengthening of the state in Somalia," Osorio said.

Source:Xinhua