UN Secretary General's Special Representative for Somalia Urges Leaders of Warring Groups in Mogadishu to Respect the Safety of the Civilian Population

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Nairobi – February 22: As heavy fighting continued in Mogadishu, the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Somalia, Francois Lonseny Fall, has appealed to the leaders of the warring parties to end their hostilities and to respect the security of civilian populations caught in their crossfire.

“I am deeply troubled by reports of recent fighting in Mogadishu and the news that civilians, including children, are among those who have been killed and wounded,” he said. “I am also alarmed by reports that hundreds of families have been forced from their homes by the indiscriminate exchange of fire from heavy weaponry. It is totally unacceptable that the lives, homes and security of Somali civilians should be the theatre for such violence. I appeal to those in charge of these forces in Mogadishu to resolve their grievances peacefully. ”

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