Mogadishu, 18 May-(ANA)-Somalia has asked the international community to help it set up a national coastguard to help tackle piracy.
Nur Mohamed Mohamoud, of Somalia's National Security Agency, told an anti-piracy summit in Malaysia the government was eager to tackle pirates.
He said an effective coastguard was also needed to protect fishermen from illegal foreign fishing boats and to prevent dumping of toxic materials.
Somalia wants equipment and training, not a foreign anti-piracy force.
However, Somalia's internationally recognised government only controls small parts of the country, while Islamist insurgents hold much of the south.
Meanwhile, five suspected pirates are due to go on trial in Holland after being caught allegedly trying to attack a Dutch-flagged freighter in January. (ANA)
