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Somali Pirates Free French Yacht Hostages

No word on whether ransom changed hands

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 11, 2008 11:03 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Somali pirates have freed the crew members of the French yacht they commandeered last week, AFP reports. All 30 hostages, including 22 French nationals, were handed over “without incident” in a deal negotiated by the military, Nicolas Sarkozy said.

The French Navy captured the pirates, the AP reports. A spokesman for the company that owns the yacht said it expects the vessel to reach port Tuesday “with or without the crew,” who may go ahead while the Navy sails the yacht.

This aerial photo shows gunmen, top left on deck, aboard French cruise ship Le Ponant off Somalia's coast.
This aerial photo shows gunmen, top left on deck, aboard French cruise ship Le Ponant off Somalia's coast.   (AP Photo)
The French cruise ship Le Ponant, foreground, is closely tracked by French frigate Le Commandant Bouan, after it was seized by pirates.
The French cruise ship Le Ponant, foreground, is closely tracked by French frigate "Le Commandant Bouan", after it was seized by pirates.   (AP Photo)
A French soldier on board the French warship Premier Maitre L'Her, with the cargo ship Victoria in the background in this Saturday, Dec. 15, 2007 file photo taken off the Somali coast.
A French soldier on board the French warship Premier Maitre L'Her, with the cargo ship Victoria in the background in this Saturday, Dec. 15, 2007 file photo taken off the Somali coast.   (AP Photo/Karel Prinsloo, File)
The French cruise ship Le Ponant, which was seized by Somali pirates last week.
The French cruise ship Le Ponant, which was seized by Somali pirates last week.   (AP Photo)
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