Fatal Blast Disrupts U.N. Somalia Trip
| Front Page |
MOGADISHU, Somalia, May 12 2007 — The United Nations’ top humanitarian official made a landmark visit to this battle-scarred capital on Saturday, but his trip was disrupted by an explosion that killed four people near the United Nations compound.
John Holmes, the under secretary general for humanitarian affairs, is the highest-ranking United Nations official to visit Mogadishu in more than a decade. His trip, including a meeting with President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed, was delayed briefly by the blast near the compound.
Mr. Holmes said he intended to ask the government to allow aid to reach its people while it tried to build on the fragile peace here. “It is their responsibility to look after civilians, to protect civilians and at the very least not to obstruct aid,” Mr. Holmes said.
The trip took place about two weeks after Somalia’s government declared victory over an Islamic insurgency.
Source: AP
Home | Contact us | Links | Archives