Cotonou, Benin - Benin has solicited the assistance of the UN to end attacks by pirates off its coasts, President Yayi Boni disclosed Monday in a message to the nation on the celebration of the 51st anniversary of the West-African country's independence.

Boni said he had sought the help of UN Secretary General and the member countries of the Security Council 'with a view to urgently embarking on measures to eradicate this scourge that dangerously threatens peace, security and the economy of the countries of the Gulf of Guinea.'

The Beninese head of state also touched on drug trafficking and counterfeited drugs, lamenting that Benin was turning into a transit country of psychotrope substances.

According to him, the unavoidable condition for any development is the safety of people and goods, as well as freedom to move about.

He urged his compatriots to display greater vigilance to eradicate these phenomena, which, according to him, were discrediting Benin.

In the past few months, Benin has been confronted with the menace of drug trafficking and piracy off its coasts.

Pana 02/08/2011