Somali pirate stand-off continues
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A tense stand-off is continuing in the waters off Somalia where pirates are demanding a $20 million ransom for a ship carrying tanks and weapons.
There are reports that three of the pirates were killed in a shoot-out onboard the ship.
Several American warships have surrounded the Ukranian cargo ship, which was seized by Somali pirates last Thursday.
The freighter is carrying 33 T-72 battle tanks and other heavy weapons which had been destined for Kenya, although a US Navy official claims the military hardware was actually headed to Sudan, which is subject to an arms embargo.
Reports from the US Defence Department indicate that there has been a disagreement among the pirates and that three have been shot dead.
However a spokesman for the pirates denies the claim.
