DJIBOUTI CITY, Djibouti Oct 4 (Garowe Online) - The vice president of Somalia's Puntland regional government, Mr. Hassan Dahir Afqura, flew from the northern port city of Bossaso Saturday en route to Djibouti, Radio Garowe reported.

Puntland government officials said Ministry of Fisheries and Ports officials as well as senior security commanders accompanied the Vice President on his emergency trip to Djibouti.

Puntland VP Hassan Dahir Afqura

VP Afqura will hold private meetings with U.S. military officers during the four-day trip, the officials added.

The U.S. Navy is spearheading anti-piracy operations off of the Somali coast, following an unprecedented surge in pirate attacks in 2008.

Unconfirmed reports said American officials secretly visited Bossaso last week and invited Puntland officials to Djibouti.

Along with the U.S., naval forces from other countries like Germany, Malaysia and Spain are involved in anti-piracy efforts along the Somali coast.

Currently, Somali pirates are holding at least 10 foreign vessels for ransom, including a US$20 million ransom demand for a Ukrainian ship transporting tanks and rocket launchers.

Source: Garowe Online