NEW YORK, April 8 (Reuters) - Maersk Line President John Reinhart was unable to confirm on Wednesday that the hijacked Maersk Alabama container ship off the Somali coast was back under control of the U.S. crew.

"A lot of speculation is going on. I believe it is premature to comment on that," he told journalists on a conference call.

He said at about 11 a.m. EDT (1500 GMT) he received a cell phone call from the crew saying they were all safe. (Reporting by Edward McAllister; Editing by Marguerita Choy)

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