Berlin, March 30, SPA -- German naval forces detained seven pirates whoattacked a German supply tanker off the coast of Somalia, a defenseministry spokesman said Monday. The pirates opened fire on the civilian-crewed vessel SpessartSunday afternoon, but were driven off by a "mobile protectionelement" on board, the spokesman was quoted as saying by DPA. A German and Greek naval unit in the vicinity gave chase andapprehended the pirates, who were later taken on board the Germanfrigate Rheinland-Pfalz, the spokesman added. The vessels are part of the EU Atalanta mission established tocounter piracy off the Horn of Africa.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/649360