Nairobi  - Somalia's parliament on Saturday overwhelmingly approved the son of an assassinated former president as the country's new prime minister.

President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed on Friday appointed Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke to the prime minister position as Sheikh Sharif continues to drive for peace and stability in his war-torn country. Sheikh Sharif was only elected last month.

Some 414 lawmakers backed the new man, with nine opposed, the UN's political office in Somalia said.

Nairobi - Somalia's parliament on Saturday overwhelmingly approved the son of an assassinated former president as the country's new prime minister.

President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed on Friday appointed Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke to the prime minister position as Sheikh Sharif continues to drive for peace and stability in his war-torn country. Sheikh Sharif was only elected last month.

Some 414 lawmakers backed the new man, with nine opposed, the UN's political office in Somalia said.

Kuala Lumpur  - A maritime watchdog on Friday issued a warning to international seafarers of an increasing number of pirate attacks this week in the Gulf of Aden and off the east coast of Somalia.<

Singapore - Singapore will send a landing ship tank, with two Super Puma helicopters, to the Gulf of Aden as part of its contribution to the international community's anti-piracy efforts, the city

Manama, Bahrain  - The US Navy said Wednesday that one of its battleships patrolling the Gulf of Aden apprehended seven suspected pirates, marking the first such action by the newly-established multinational Combined Task Force (CTF) 151 to combat piracy.

The guided missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf (CG 72) apprehended the pirates after responding to a distress call from a nearby merchant vessel on Wednesday, according to a statement from the Manama-based US Navy 5th Fleet Command.

Ankara  - The Turkish parliament on Tuesday passed a memorandum that will allow Turkey to send naval forces to fight piracy off the coast of Somalia.

Last week the government sent to parliament the memorandum to allow Turkish ships to join the international operation. The navy immediately started preparations in anticipation of Tuesday's parliamentary vote.

General Metin Durak of the Turkish General Staff told reporters on Friday that the vessel would be ready to embark within a month.