Pirate leader says ready to repel assaults

HOBYO, Somalia, Oct. 5 (UPI) -- The commander of Somali pirates holding a Ukrainian ship hostage in the Indian Ocean says he is prepared for any kind of assault.

Sugule Ali, commander of the so-called Voluntary Marines for Somalia, told The Sunday Times of London via satellite phone that he and his band of hijackers are prepared to fight. They are demanding a $30 million ransom for the return of the MV Faina, its crew and cargo of tanks, rocket-propelled grenades and other arms.

"We are prepared for any assault by commandos," Ali told the newspaper. "We have 60 people ready to defend the boat. We can protect ourselves. I'm not going to tell you what weapons we have, but let's just say we have enough."

Ali said he and his pirates were not affiliated with any political movements in Somalia.

Six U.S. warships were within 10 miles of the Faina, anchored about 5 miles off the Somali coast near the town of Hobyo, 400 miles north of Mogadishu.

The U.S. Navy has warned the hijackers it will attack if they unload the tanks or other weapons, The Sunday Times said.