Somali pirates release Greek cargo ship

Somali pirates have abandoned a Greek-operated cargo ship just two days after seizing it, the European Union's anti-piracy mission said Monday.

The Panama-flagged MV Lugela was seized off the coast of Somalia on Saturday.

EU NAVFOR said the ship owner informed them the pirates abandoned the ship late Sunday and that the 12 Ukrainian crew are safe.

Piracy is rife off the coast of war-torn Somalia, which has not had an effective central government since 1991.