Nairobi: A spokesman for Somali pirates holding an arms-laden Ukrainian ship says the vessel's operator wants to negotiate only for the release of the MV Faina and its crew, and not its cargo.

Sugule Ali says the head of Tomex Team sent the pirates a fax saying the Kenyan government has declined to pay any ransom. Kenya has claimed the 33 tanks and other heavy weapons on the ship. Ali says the pirates received the letter on Friday.

He said today Tomex Team s Viktor Murenko said in his letter that the pirates are at, "liberty to destroy or throw the weapons to the sea if they deemed that fit."

Kenyan Foreign Affairs Minister Moses Wetangula says Tomex Team is responsible for the cargo until it is delivered.

He says Kenya will not pay any ransom.
Source : PTI