Mayalsia says ready to help in pirate case

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Sept. 2 (UPI) -- Malaysian military officials say they are ready to help, but have not been asked to do so, in the seizure of two ships by pirates in the Gulf of Aden.

Mayalsian Chief of Defense Forces Gen. Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Zainal said Tuesday the shipping line MISC Berhad is negotiating with pirates who seized its two vessels, the Bunga Melati Dua and the Bunga Melati Lima, in two separate August incidents, Bernama reported.

"The MISC is trying to resolve the matter through diplomatic means and we hope a settlement can be reached," Abdul Aziz said, adding that the armed forces were ready to send troops if requested to do so.

The two ships, seized in the gulf Aug. 19 and 29, have a total crew of 65 Malaysians and 15 Filipinos. Malaysian authorities sent two warships to the gulf to monitor the situation, Bernama said.