Nations back Somalia to fight piracy

Dozens of nations have declared support to help Somalia achieve peace and stability and eradicate piracy that has plagued international maritime trade.

The countries meeting in Istanbul for the United Nations-sponsored conference to address security and reconstruction there, said the creation of a strong police and military in the country was a must in the face of a chaotic situation and deepening divisions among militant groups.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon said at the end of the conference on Saturday that the basic onshore causes of piracy had be tackled.

A joint declaration said it wanted to send a clear message "to the people of Somalia that they are not alone" in the search for peace and prosperity. There were, however, few concrete pledges. The number of piracy incidence has been increaing in recent months.