NATO chief discusses anti-piracy cooperation with Djibouti leader

NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen met Monday the President of Djibouti Ismail Omar Guelleh and discussed counter-piracy efforts off the Horn of Africa and the situation in Somalia during the presidents visit to NATO headquarters. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Rasmussen thanked Omar Guelleh for his countrys leadership role in fighting piracy. "Djiboutis strong commitment to counter-piracy and your support for our efforts are greatly appreciated," he stressed. Somalia has been the base for most pirate activity off Africas east coast, he noted. "We agree on the importance of continued efforts to help stabilise the country, both from a political and security perspective. Because ultimately, the roots of piracy are not at sea, but on land," said the NATO chief. The Alliances relationship with Djibouti "has real potential," he added. On his part, the Djibouti President said they had a fruitful exchange of views on cooperation between NATO and his country on fighting piracy. The two sides also discussed the setting up of a NATO liaison office in Djibouti. "We want to beef up our cooperation with NATO," added Omar Guelleh who is in Brussels to attend an international conference on Somalia