Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia's foreign minister says his country will join the international effort to eradicate piracy.

Saud Al Faisal, Saudi Arabia's foreign minister, said, "This outrageous act by the pirates I think will only reinforce the resolve of the countries of the Red Sea and internationally to fight piracy. Piracy is against everybody, like terrorism it is a disease, that has to be eradicated."

The Sirius Star with its crew of 25 was captured off Kenya on Saturday and the Saudi oil tanker is the largest vessel ever seized on the high seas.