Italian ambassador visits former Somali pirate hub

April 24, 2012

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Italian Ambassador to Somalia Andrea Mazella concluded a two-day visit to the coastal city of Eyl, a former pirate hub, on Monday (April 23rd), Somalia's Garowe Online reported.

Deputy Ambassador Giuseppe Caposeno Tores accompanied Mazella at meetings with local officials and civil society groups. Mazella discussed improving health and education in the town and visited Eyl's hospital, government headquarters and buildings from the Italian colonial period.

Mazella said the Italian government would send assistance for local development projects.

Eyl was an operating centre for pirates until last year, when residents and local authorities forced them out. Last month, the Puntland Marine Police Force sent 200 soldiers to the town in an anti-piracy campaign.

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