Somali pirates plead guilty in US to Quest hijacking

Three Somali men have pleaded guilty in US federal court to piracy for their role in a hijacking that ended in the deaths of four American sailors.

They face life sentences, but could receive lighter terms and eventually be deported to Somalia.

Two of them also pleaded guilty to hostage taking at the Virginia court.

The men are among 15 who have been charged for their roles in the February hijacking of the Quest. The yacht's owners and two guests were shot dead.

The group of pirates were negotiating with the US military to release the Americans - Scott and Jean Adam, and Bob Riggle and Phyllis Macay - when a rocket-propelled grenade was fired from the yacht at the guided-missile destroyer USS Sterett.