BAIDOA, Somalia Aug 4 - After weeks of wrangling amongst lawmakers in Somalia, Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Gedi addressed the interim federal parliament Saturday and defended his administration from accusations.

Lawmakers have been debating for weeks over a motion calling for accountability with Prime Minister Gedi's government, sources said. But Gedi told legislators today that only one who intentionally blinds himself from reality can fail to see the government's progress.

Somali Prime Minister Ali Gedi
"You are witness to this administration's efforts on security," Prime Minister Gedi said, noting that security had "improved," especially in Mogadishu.

He went on to say that despite the destruction and lack of financial support, his government has taken positive steps in reconstruction and international relations.

Sheikh Adan "Madobe" Mohamed, Speaker of parliament, announced after Gedi's speech that a 9-member committee had been setup to look further into the accountability motion.

Some lawmakers in parliament's temporary home, the city of Baidoa 250km northwest of Mogadishu, said nearly 100 MPs support the accountability motion but affirmed that the government of Prime Minister Gedi many supporters in parliament.

Source: Garowe Online