France

French commandos have freed two sailors seized by pirates off the Somali coast, the French presidency has said. One pirate was killed in the operation and another six captured, it said. The couple was seized in a sailing boat in the Gulf of Aden earlier this month by pirates who reportedly wanted a ransom of some USD 1.4 million. President Nicolas Sarkozy said the French operation should serve as a warning, and called for international efforts to counter escalating piracy. The waters off Somalia are among the most dangerous in the world. Attacks by pirates are common and hamper the delivery of food aid. (BBC)