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The Security Council 21 November reiterated its condemnation of all acts of piracy and armed robbery against vessels in the waters off the coast of Somalia, and stressed the need for a comprehensive response by the international community to repress the scourge and tackle its root causes.

The 15-member body, in a unanimously adopted resolution, recognized that one of the underlying causes of the problem is "the ongoing instability in Somalia" and underlined the Horn of Africa nation's primary responsibility in fighting it.

The Council "requests the Somali authorities, with assistance from the Secretary-General and relevant UN entities, to pass a complete set of counter-piracy laws without further delay," it said in the resolution.

It also called on the Somali authorities to interdict, and upon interdiction to investigate and prosecute pirates and to patrol the territorial waters off the Somali coast to suppress acts of piracy and armed robbery at sea, noting the importance of strengthening the country's maritime capacity.

In addition, the Council renewed its call on States and regional organizations that have the capacity to do so, to take part in the fight against piracy and armed robbery at sea off the Somali coast, in particular by deploying naval vessels, arms and military aircraft and through seizures and disposition of boats, vessels, arms and other related equipment used in the commission of such crimes.

The Council also reiterated its decision to continue its consideration, as a matter of urgency, of the establishment of specialized anti-piracy courts in Somalia and other States in the region with substantial international participation and/or support.

Following the vote, South African Ambassador Baso Sangqu told the Council that one of the many issues that had to be addressed in Somalia was to curb illegal dumping and plundering of Somalia's resources, "including illegal fishing and dumping of toxic waste off the coast of Somalia".

He said that, "Somalia authorities must be assisted to ensure that the benefits of Somali resources are enjoyed by Somalia and its people".