Turkey approves naval mission in Somalia

Ankara - The Turkish parliament on Tuesday passed a memorandum that will allow Turkey to send naval forces to fight piracy off the coast of Somalia.

Last week the government sent to parliament the memorandum to allow Turkish ships to join the international operation. The navy immediately started preparations in anticipation of Tuesday's parliamentary vote.

General Metin Durak of the Turkish General Staff told reporters on Friday that the vessel would be ready to embark within a month.

More than a dozen ships with links to Turkey have been hijacked off the Somali coast during the recent spate of piracy. Last month two Turkish ships and their crew were released after a ransom was paid. - Sapa-dpa