Mousa calls for joint force against pirates

Cairo: Arab countries should form a naval force to fight rampant piracy off Somalia's coast, the head of the Arab League told reporters on Monday.

"This force could work with other powers in the region to protect security," said Amr Mousa, referring to US and Nato ships that have been patrolling the increasingly dangerous waters near Somalia.

Mousa said there were existing agreements on military cooperation between Arab countries that would allow for a joint navy.

Representatives of Arab Red Sea states announced after an emergency meeting on piracy in Cairo on Thursday they would appoint military commissions to make recommendations on how to counter the scourge.

Mousa's call came as the leader of Somali pirates holding a huge Saudi oil supertanker denied on Monday that the hijackers had lowered their ransom demand, insisting they still wanted $25 million for the ship's release.

"If we want to change it, it will have to be agreed unanimously with all," Mohammad Said said.