Pirates leave the merchant vessel MV Faina (not shown) for the Somali shore, while under observation by a U.S. Navy ship, in this picture taken on October 8, 2008 and released October 9. The NATO military alliance agreed on Thursday to join anti-piracy operations off Somalia, and a Japanese tanker was released after a $1.6 million ransom payment, officials said. Reuters Pictures logo Reuters Pictures 40 months ago

Pirates leave the merchant vessel MV Faina (not shown) for the Somali shore, while under observation by a U.S. Navy ship, in this picture taken on October 8, 2008 and released October 9. The NATO military alliance agreed on Thursday to join anti-piracy operations off Somalia, and a Japanese tanker was released after a $1.6 million ransom payment, officials said.

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