(File photo)

Pottengal Mukundan, Captain of International Maritime Bureau, said, "The pirates have been operating with impunity in these waters, and it is time now, it is well overdue that we send a signal to the pirates that they cannot conduct these criminal operations without sanction."

Authorities say the owners of the hijacked Saudi oil supertanker are negotiating with the pirates that are holding it. Saudi Foreign Minister Saud Al-Faisal has reiterated his country's intention to take part in an international initiative against piracy in the Red Sea area.

On Wednesday, Britain's foreign secretary, David Miliband said in Beirut that his country would lead a European operation against piracy in the Gulf of Aden from next month.