afrol News, 17 February - United Nations has slammed strict United States restrictions in Somalia saying they are hurting humanitarian aid distribution in the horn of Africa state.

The UN humanitarian official Mark Bowden said the UN agencies have not seen any evidence from the US that food aid is being diverted to Islamists fighting the weak and UN backed Somali transitional government.

The US reduced its funding to Somalia last year after its Office of Foreign Assets Control expressed fear that the extended supply line and areas where aid agencies were operating meant aid could be diverted to a group with links to al-Qaida.

He said agencies were being asked to comply with impractical requirements by the US but declined to give details.

Meanwhile, Somalia’s Transitional Federal Government said today that it has foiled planned attacks against members of parliament and other government officials.

The minister for public works in Somali government, Mohamed Abdi Hayir said the government suspended a workshop that was held in Ambassador Hotel in Mogadishu for members of parliament.

The official said the bomb detonated in front of the hotel, minutes after the workshop was postponed.

He added that the police were still investigating the incident and would soon tell reporters about the results of the investigation.

The blasts targeted state minister for defense of the Somali government.

Somalia has been battling insurgency in almost two decades following the ouster of the former dictator Mohamed Siad Barre.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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