With dozens of Filipino sailors still in the hands of pirates, President Arroyo vowed Monday to work with the African Union to resolve the problem of piracy off the coast of Somalia to ensure the protection of the world’s seafarers and commercial shipping lanes.

During a three-day visit to Libya, the President expressed concern about the plight of Filipino sailors, who comprise one-third of merchant sailors around the world, as she feared for more pirate attacks in the Gulf of Aden.

The President, in a statement before leaving for Tripoli shortly after midnight Sunday, said Africa has grown important to the Philippines, and the large continent’s peace and stability has direct impact not only “on our energy security but more importantly, on the safety and welfare of many of our overseas Filipinos, including our seafarers.”

“The East African monsoon is almost over, and we can expect a surge in pirate attacks off the coast of Somalia. Though many have been freed, over 200 Filipino seamen have suffered in the hands of pirates.

“We are vigorously working to protect our seafarers and this is an issue where Africa’s collective efforts to bring stability and order to the affected areas will be crucial,” she said.

The President, with a lean delegation of senior government officials, was set to attend the African Union’s Special Summit on the Settlement of Conflicts in Africa Monday.

Mrs. Arroyo was invited by Libya, chairman of African Union, to the summit aimed at finding ways to address peace and security issues, including problems of sea piracy, in the continent.

Over the years, Somali pirates have fearlessly hijacked ships passing through the Gulf of Aden and only released crews after ship owners paid multi-million dollar ransoms.

This year, Somali pirates seized 233 Filipino on board vessels sailing through the troubled Gulf, and reports said 42 Filipino seafarers remain in captivity. The government has rejected any demand for ransom to deter kidnappings and instead encouraged Filipino seafarers to disembark at any port before their ship passes through the Gulf of Aden.

On Tuesday, the President said she will join a select group of global leaders upon the invitation of Libya’s Col. Muammar Qaddafi to attend the 40th Anniversary of the Great Al Fateh Revolution which swept the Libyan leader to power.

In the same trip, the President said she will check the welfare and protection of some 12,000 Filipino workers in the North African state.

“In the 40th year since Libya’s Great Al Fateh Revolution, much has happened to transform Libya into the nation it is today – a nation eager to engage all others, a nation that has set aside its differences with others to bring greater harmony to global relations,” she said.