Captain calls for antipiracy effort

WASHINGTON, May 5 (UPI) -- The U.S. ship captain who was kidnapped by pirates off Somalia said Tuesday the international community needs to unite in the fight against piracy.

Speaking to Senate lawmakers in Washington, Richard Phillips, captain of the Maersk Alabama, also called for armed security details on board ships, Gannett reported.

"Arming the crew should be viewed as only one component of a comprehensive plan and approach to combat piracy," he was quoted as saying.

Phillips was freed when Navy SEAL snipers simultaneously shot and killed his captors on Easter Sunday. He was returned to his home state of Vermont on April 17.