Algeria denies paying ransom to Somali pirates

Algeria has once again denied paying any ransom for the release of Algerian sailors on the bulk carrier MV Blida kidnapped by Somali pirates months ago. Algerian Secretary of State at Foreign Ministry for National Community Abroad Affairs Halim Benatallah was quoted on Monday by the local radio as saying that \"the 17 Algerian hostages were released thanks to the cooperation of friendly countries in the frame of counterterrorism, and yet no ransom has been paid.\" Benatallah, who made the statement as the sailors arrived at Algeria\'s Boufarik military airport on Sunday, further hailed the kidnapped sailors\' family members for their patience, understanding and confidence in the government. \"There were indeed hard times, but we managed to overcome (them) gradually,\" he said. MV Blida, an Algerian-flagged bulk carrier with a crew of 27, including 17 from Algeria, was captured in January 2011 by Somali pirates around 150 miles southeast of Salalah in southern Oman when heading to the port of Mombasa in Kenya. One Algerian crew member and a Ukrainian were released on Oct. 12, while the others were released earlier this month. Nacereddine Mansouri, executive manager of the shipowner International Bulk Carriers (IBC), has already stated that no ransom had been paid to Somali pirates for the sailors\' release. \"The position of Algeria in this regard is firm and unequivocal, \" said Mansouri.