AU calls for air and naval blockade of Somalia

The African Union sought UN approval Thursday for a naval and air blockade of Somalia, as well as more troops and aid to fend off piracy and terrorism in the struggling Horn of Africa nation. 

The AU's commissioner for peace and security, Ramtane Lamamra, urged the UN Security Council to authorize a blockade while seeking far more international aid and a contingent of 20,000 AU-led troops, up from the current authorization of 8,000. He also asked the council to approve hiring up to 1,680 police. The AU peacekeeping force, operating under the UN mandate, now has about 6,000 troops. (AP)