General Jean-Louis Georgelin, chief of staff of France's armed forces, said the pirates released the hostages after negotiating with the ship's owner. 'That phase of the operation was calm, with no weapons fired,' he said. The hostages were brought to safety and the pirates went ashore.

Once the pirates were on Somali territory, however, a French attack helicopter chased a vehicle carrying some of them, firing to destroy its engine, the general said. There were conflicting reports about what happened next...

The General said no public money was used to pay a ransom. But it appears that that the French shipping company CMA-CGM may have made cash payments. The French troops have recovered 'interesting bags,' he said.

The six captured pirates were being held on a French Navy vessel, the president's office reported. They 'gave themselves up without too much difficulty' and will be handed over to French judicial authorities.

Well done General Georgelin... That's the way to do it.