Tehran, July 31, 2006 – Somalian Charge d'Affaires in Tehran Khalifeh Ahmad Sahl on Monday denied anti-Iranian statement attributed to Somalian Prime Minister Ali Mohammad Ghedi.

Speaking to IRNA, Ahmad Sahl doubted the truth of a report from Western media which quoted Ghedi as saying that Iran interferes in his country Internal affairs.

He also apologized to Iranian government and people for the false accusations.

Stressing Iranian government and people support the Muslim nation of Somalia , Sahl called two nations relations long lasting and historical with common grounds.

He said that Somalia has excellent economic relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran in the category of the African nations.

Somalian charge d'affaires said that during the past 16-year long civil war in his country, the goal of Western colonialism and imperialism for destroying Somalian infrastructure could not be overlooked.

He also accused US and Zionism of carrying plots against the Muslim nation of Somalia.

Source: IRNA