London (Sunatimes) Britain on Monday announced that it will host an international conference next year on tackling instability in Somalia and protecting ships from pirates in the Gulf of Aden.

Prime Minister David Cameron said Somalia is a “failed state that directly threatens British interests,” citing attacks on tourists and aid workers, and radicalisation of young Britons by militant Islamist groups with roots in the region.

In a speech at a banquet to honour the new Mayor of the City of London Cameron said Somali pirates aren’t invincible and it is time Britain need to properly stood up to them. But the exact date of the conference has not been made clear.

He said there is pressing need to pull together the international effort and that is why Britain will host a major conference in London next year.

The Somali conference was to “focus attention on protecting merchant ships passing through the Gulf of Aden, tackling pirates, pressurising the extremists, supporting countries in the region and addressing the causes of conflict and instability in Somalia

Cameron announced last month that British merchant ships sailing off the coast of Somalia would be able to carry armed guards to ward off pirate attacks, bringing it into line with many other countries.

By Dahir Alasow