Turkey extends anti-piracy Somali mission

Turkish Parliament extended Tuesday a mandate for country's naval forces to take part in an international effort to fight-off piracy in the Gulf of Aden.

The parliament approved a motion submitted the government to extend the mandate for an extra year as of February 1, 2010.

Turkish parliament's approval came a day after a frigate with the Turkish Naval Forces set sail from its base in southwest Turkey.

The Perry class frigate, TCG Gemlik, will relieve TCG Gokova currently serving under the international anti-piracy mission, CTF-151.

She is the fifth task force Turkey has deployed to the region since February last year.

/World Bulletin/