Dhaka, March 28 -- Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud says progress has been made on the rescue of the MV Abdullah, the ship that was hijacked by Somali pirates, and the 23 members of its crew.

Asked about the situation at the foreign ministry on Thursday, he told the media, "I only want to say this about the vessel - we are in the middle of discussions regarding the release of the sailors."

"We are acting on multiple fronts with the aim of rescuing the sailors unharmed and, at the same time, salvaging the vessel. We've come a long way. That's all I can say."

The MV Abdullah is the latest of nearly two dozen vessels that have been attacked by Somali pirates in the Indian Ocean since November.

On Mar 12, it was carrying nearly 55,000 tonnes...