RIYADH - SOMALI pirates who hijacked a Saudi oil super-tanker and demanded a US$25 million (S$36.9 million) ransom will release it within 72 hours, a Saudi newspaper reported on Tuesday.
The daily Okaz newpspaper quoted Abu Bakr Dary, a source allegedly close to the pirates, as saying the tanker and its 25 crew members will be released in 72 hours, after the ship's owners agreed to pay the ransom.
Somali pirates captured the world's attention when they hijacked the Saudi-owned super-tanker Sirius Star, fully laden with two million barrels of crude last month.
'Negotiators on behalf of the owners of Sirius Star have agreed to pay the ransom,' said Mr Dary.
Okaz said that Mr Dary had been involved in the negotiations between the owners of the tanker, Somali mediators and representatives of the pirates, who had been demanding US$25 million for its release.
He did not specify the value of the ransom that was finally agreed on. -- AFP
