Taiwan considers sending naval force to Somali waters

Taipei: A senior official says Taiwan is considering sending a naval force to protect its fishing vessels off the coast of the African nation of Somalia.

Thursday's comments by Mainland Affairs Council Vice Chairman Chao Chien-min come amid rising concern over attacks by Somali-based pirates against foreign vessels, including those from Taiwan.

Chao says that the Taiwanese government is currently studying the feasibility of dispatching its navy to the area, but that a final decision has not yet been reached.

There are now more than a dozen warships guarding Somalia's waters. Countries including the US, Britain, China, France, Germany and Iran have naval forces off the Somali coast or on their way there.