Puntland's Information Ministry has strongly condemned a news report aired on Somali TV channel Universal TV, which alleges that a British couple held by hostage by Somali pirates, is currently held in Puntland territory.

Deputy Information Assistant Minister Abdullahi Mohammed Farah (Aswad) told reporters in Garowe, the administrative capital of Puntland, that the report was meant to spoil Puntland's image abroad.

"We are stating that the report aired by Universal TV about the British couple held pirates inside Puntland controlled areas is falsehood that is intended to spoil Puntland's integrity and public image," he said, adding that its important to seek the truth before reporting.

He called on Universal TV management to apologize for the report.

The news about the whereabouts of the British hostages held by ransom hunting pirates has been in the news media lately with reports suggesting that it's certain to be held in Harardhere town, one of the pirates' safe havens in Somalia's central Mudug region.

GAROWE ONLINE