|
Somalia: Top UN envoy appeals for release of hostages
(AKI) - The top United Nations envoy to Somalia on Friday called for hostages being held in the war-ravaged Horn of Africa nation to be freed immediately as a sign of good will during a Muslim holiday. Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, the Secretary-General's Special Representative said releasing the hostages would improve Somalia's image and "show that its people deserve respect and confidence.""On the eve of Eid al-Adha, a period of forgiveness, I appeal to all Somalis to help ensure that those hostages being held, both Somalis and foreigners, are allowed to enjoy their freedom and to return home safe and sound," Ould-Abdallah said. Four foreign journalists and two Italian Catholic nuns are amongst those being held. Journalists and foreign aid workers have increasingly become targets for kidnap and murder this year, mainly in south and central Somalia where Islamist insurgents (photo) are waging a bloody conflict against the government. Ould-Abdallah said he was especially concerned for the two nuns, who were kidnapped in neighbouring Kenya in November and taken across the border. "They should be allowed to return home immediately and I do not see any excuse for holding them any longer," he said. Posted by: Fred 2008-12-06 |
| http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=256673 |