CAIRO, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian cabinet spokesman Magdi Radi said Wednesday that Egypt is ready to take part in an international force under the United Nations to fight against piracy, the state MENA news agency reported.

    During a meeting presided by Prime Minister Ahmed Nazef, the cabinet affirmed that all countries overlooking the Red Sea have the responsibility to maintain its security and safety.

    He rejected any unilateral use of force to combat the piracy off the Somalia coasts.

    The Egyptian cabinet voiced its welcome to a recent resolution of the UN Security Council which condemned the threatening of piracy, said the spokesman.

    The waters off the Somali coasts are considered to be some of the world's most dangerous areas as pirates have hijacked and attacked dozens of ships this year.

    Most attacks have been in the Gulf of Aden between Yemen and north Somalia, a major route leading to Egypt's Suez Canal, one of the most important international waterways linking Europe and Asia.

    On Nov. 19, Egyptian Foreign Ministry spokesman Hossam Zaki said his country will take all necessary measures in fighting against piracy in and near the Red Sea.

    During a meeting on Nov. 20, Arab countries overlooking the Red Sea promised to coordinate efforts in the fight against piracy near the Red Sea region.

    On Tuesday, the UN Security Council unanimously voted to extend for 12 months the mandate for states and regional organizations to fight Somali pirates and urge the UN to play a coordinating role in the endeavor.

    Resolution 1846 was the third such document that has been adopted by the 15-member body since June with an aim to fight the scourge of Somali pirates.