Nairobi - Libyan leader and new head of the African Union, Moammer Gaddafi, has defended the actions of Somalian pirates as an act of self-defence against "greedy" Western nations, the Kenyan newspaper Daily Nation reported Friday.

The paper, reporting on Gaddafi's courtesy call on AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, quoted him as saying: "It is not piracy, it is self defence. It is defending the Somalian children's food.

"It is a response to greedy Western nations, who invade and exploit Somalias water resources illegally," the Libyan strongman added about the pirates who have been capering merchant ships and releasing them and their crews for ransom.

His comments came as meanwhile the Ukrainian merchent vessel Faina with 31 military tanks was released after four months. Somalian pirates are currently holding about a dozen ships. (dpa)