Pentagon urges broader approach to piracy

WASHINGTON, Dec. 12 (UPI) -- More than a military response is needed to combat piracy off the Somali coast, a U.S. military official said Friday.

The U.N. Security Council is expected to discuss next week a U.S.-submitted resolution that would allow military forces to pursue Somali-based pirates onto Somali territory. More than 60 ships have been attacked so far this year.

"I think there are many that are seeking a simple military solution, or solely a military solution, to address the piracy issue," Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said in a news release. "And I think we need a more comprehensive look at this."

While any response may include a military component, "this is an issue that has to be addressed more broadly," Whitman said, suggesting representatives of diplomacy, industry and law could play roles in a response.

The U.S. military is assessing how it can contribute in dealing with piracy, Whitman said.

"As the United States military, we are looking at the full range of options that might be available to the commander in chief to address these kinds of things," he said.