DUBAI (AP):

A new international naval force under American command will soon begin patrols to confront escalating attacks by Somali pirates, after more than 100 ships came under siege in the past year, the United States Navy said yesterday.

But the mission expected to begin operations next week appears more of an attempt to sharpen the military focus against piracy rather than a signal of expanded offen-sives across one of the world's most crucial shipping lanes.