International Community Condemns Assassination Attempt Against Somali President

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Nairobi – 18 September 2006: The Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Somalia, Francois Lonseny Fall, today condemned a car bombing attempt on the life of the Somali President, Abdullahi Yusuf in Baidoa.

Speaking on behalf of the United Nations and all member states of the European Union, Ambassador Fall called for calm in Somalia. “We condemn this attack on the peace process and call on all Somalis to resolve their differences peacefully.”

Ambassador Fall said he was relieved that the President and other leaders and parliamentarians were not hurt in the explosion. He also expressed sadness at the loss of life and injuries to innocent bystanders.

For more information please contact: UN Political Office for Somalia(Nairobi, Kenya) Tel. +254 20 762 21 31 Please visit: www.UN-Somalia.org