December 04, 2008	Thursday	Zilhaj 5, 1429

GAROWE (Somalia), Dec 3: Somali pirates have freed a Yemeni cargo ship they seized last week after successful talks between regional authorities, clan elders and the gunmen, a local official said on Wednesday.

“The Yemeni ship was released last night after long discussions,” said Ali Abdi Aware, state minister of Somalia’s northern Puntland province.

“It left Eyl and is heading to Yemen. The crew are safe and no ransom was paid.” The MV Amani, owned by Yemeni shipping firm Abu Talal, has seven sailors on board.—Reuters