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Garowe, July 18, 2009 – On
Friday, the Police in Garowe, the capital of autonomous region of
Puntland State of Somalia, detained a Chinese national, who came to
Somalia on a bicycle.
The man named Lee Yue Zhong was on world tour with his bicycle. He was
arrested when he arrived at Garowe’s western checkpoint.
“…We have to detain everyone who enters Puntland without a visa …”said
the Police chief in Garowe.
Lee Yue said, he wanted to travel to all regions of Somalia, including
the war ravaged capital, Mogadishu.
“….I Love Somalia, I want to explore all the cities and see the
landscape….” said Lee Yue.
Puntland’s Security Minister Gen. Abdillahi Said Samatar, told reporters
that the man will be deported to neighboring Djibouti.
“…every foreigner who enters Puntland soil without the knowledge of the
government, it is our obligation to detain them for their security, and
to deport them…..” said Gen. Samatar who says Puntland/Somalia has good
relations with China.
The Security minister said it was impossible to allow the man a to
continue with his journey, because of the insecurity in southern
Somalia, where the man was heading to.
Lee Yue Zhong said, he visited more than 114 countries with his bicycle
for the last 12 years, it is his first tour to Somalia, he began his
journey in Hargeysa the capital of Somaliland (West of Somalia) and
traveled by road all the way to Garowe the capital of Puntland (Northeastern
Somalia).
Two weeks ago Puntland deported two French nationals, who also arrived
from Somaliland by road, the man proclaimed that they were journalists.
Sources say these two French men are believed to be the once that are
now held by Somali Islamist Insurgents in Mogadishu, the capital of
Somalia.
Source: Horseed Media, July 17, 2009
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