Egypt is probing all options to tackling the piracy crisis which escalated recently in Bahr al-Arab Gulf of Aden, and off Somali coasts. Egypt stressed on Thursday 20/11/2008 that the Red Sea is clear of piracy so there is no justification to take security measures in it.

Speaking following an extraordinary meeting of the Arab countries overlooking the Red Sea at the level of senior officials, Hossam Zaki, the Spokesman for the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said these countries deal with the Red Sea as a vital navigational route. They pledged to cooperate to fight piracy in case of extending this phenomenon to the Red Sea, he added.

Asked if a proposal was offered at the meeting to form Arab naval forces to combat piracy, Zaki said the meeting didn't take up this phenomenon which soared off the Somali coasts. Rather, the meeting discussed how to coordinate stances among the participating countries at the political, legal and diplomatic levels, he said.

The Arab officials expressed readiness to consult with the parties concerned on combating piracy off the Somali coasts and in the Gulf of Aden, the spokesman said. "This matter is important as the Arab countries feel it is important for them to contact with the international community to combat this phenomenon," Zaki said.

As for the statement released at the end of the meeting, Zaki said it imposes no restrictions on any country to act unilaterally.

The statement, rather, outlined a general framework for cooperation among these countries in this regard, he said.