UN calls for action against Somalia piracy 'plague'

NAIROBI, May 20 (Reuters) The United Nations today called for international action against ''a plague of piracy'' off the coast of Somalia that is threatening to cut aid to one million people.

The UN World Food Programme (WFP) said the movement of aid supplies to the Horn of African country was under severe threat.

''We urge key nations to do their utmost to address the plague of piracy, which is now threatening our ability to feed one million Somalis,'' WFP executive director, Josette Sheeran, said in a statement.

''Unless action is taken now, not only will our supply lines be cut, but also those of other aid agencies working in various parts of Somalia.'' Piracy has been rife off Somalia since the country slid into into chaos after warlords toppled military dictator Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991. Many pirates claim to be ''coastguards'' protecting their waters against illegal fishing and dumping of toxic waste.

Last year, WFP was forced to suspend aid deliveries for weeks after the hijacking of two ships it had contracted.

In the latest attack yesterday, pirates killed a guard working for a WFP-contracted ship's agent who was among those sent to intercept the pirates after they attempted to hijack the vessel.

The pirates attacked the Jordanian-registered MV Victoria about 111 kms from Merka, south of Mogadishu. It was on its way to the port of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania after delivering 4,000 tonnes of food aid to Merka.

The ship returned to Merka after the guards repulsed the attackers, WFP said.

''WFP is very saddened and alarmed by the death of the guard, who showed great courage while the ship came under attack. We send our condolences to his family,'' Sheeran said.

Attacks have risen since Islamists, who controlled most of south Somalia in the second half of 2006, were ousted in January. Four days ago, gunmen captured two fishing vessels, while another came under attack and managed to escape.

Reuters ABM GC1946