The UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution calling on the international community to actively take part in the fight against pirates operating in waters off Somalia.

The U.S.-drafted resolution was fourth of its kind adopted by the council since June with the aim to step up international fight against Somali pirates.

The resolution, adopted at a ministerial meeting of the Security Council, authorized for one year states and regional organizations cooperating in the fight against piracy to "undertake all necessary measures in Somalia, including in its airspace," for the purpose of fighting piracy.

The text called on "states, regional and international organizations that have the capacity to do so, to take part actively in the fight against piracy and armed robbery ... by deploying naval vessels and military aircraft ..."

It urges all states and organizations taking part in the fight against piracy to establish a mechanism on international cooperation whereby all relevant parties could communicate with each other.

The resolution also urges the parties to "consider creating a center in the region to coordinate information relevant to piracy and armed robbery," and to increase regional capacity, "in order to effectively investigate and prosecute piracy and armed robbery at sea offenses."

In the four-page resolution, the council said it was "continuing to be gravely concerned by the dramatic increase" in the piracy incidents in the last six months, as well as their threats to international humanitarian aid to Somalia.

(Xinhua News Agency December 17, 2008)