NATO extends anti-piracy mission off Somalia

BRUSSELS – NATO will keep a counter-piracy flotilla off the Horn of Africa, where international patrols have been key to preventing attacks in one of the world's busiest sea lanes, the alliance's top official said Friday.NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer also said that the alliance would send eight extra infantry battalions — numbering 8,000-10,000 troops — to help secure the presidential elections in Afghanistan on Aug. 20.He was speaking at the conclusion of a two-day annual meeting of defense ministers from 28 member states and 22 partner nations which endorsed a plan to restructure the NATO command in Kabul to cope with the increasing numbers of troops flowing into the region.De Hoop Scheffer said a new NATO flotilla would replace the task force sailing home at the end of the month."NATO will continue to play its role in the fight against piracy," he said.A NATO flotilla has been stationed off Somalia since November. It was joined by an EU squadron, a U.S.-led task force, and ships from China, India, Malaysia and Russia. Their main task is to escort World Food Program vessels carrying food aid to Somalia...more..http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090612/ap_on_re_eu/eu_nato_defense_ministers