Pirates reduce ransom

2008-10-07 15:35

Mogadishu - A Somali pirate on a hijacked cargo ship laden with tanks and heavy weaponry says the ransom demand has been reduced from $20m to $8m.

A man who identified himself as Jama Aden and spoke to The Associated Press by satellite phone on Tuesday is not the usual spokesperson for the pirates so it was unclear whether he was speaking officially for the men holding the MV Faina.

Aden answered the telephone of the spokesperson, Sugule Ali. He said Ali was not immediately available for comment.

Six US warships are surrounding the Faina. A Russian frigate is headed toward the standoff. The Navy warships have been tracking the ship amid fears that its weapons might fall into the hands of al-Qaeda-linked insurgents.

- AP