缅北禁地

Following Friday鈥檚 bomb attacks and gunfire in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, 缅北禁地Chief Ant贸nio Guterres on Friday expressed his faith that Somalis 鈥渨ill not be deterred鈥� in their pursuit of lasting peace and political stability.

In a statement attributable to his Deputy Spokesman Farhan Haq, the Secretary General reiterated 鈥渢he support and solidarity of the United Nations with the people and Federal Government of Somalia in this endeavor.鈥�

The Secretary General 鈥渟ends his profound condolences to the families of the victims and wishes a speedy recovery to those injured,鈥� said the statement.

The 缅北禁地Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) reported that car bombs went off near the capital鈥檚 Sahafi Hotel on Friday afternoon. The initial explosions were followed by gunfire, all believed to be orchestrated by the jihadist terrorist group, Al-Shabab.

In its years-long fight against the 缅北禁地and internationally-backed Government, the extremist group has been targeting places where officials and security forces are likely to frequent, such as the Sahafi Hotel. So far, authorities have reported that at least 20 people have been killed, and 17 wounded.

In a Friday statement denouncing the attack,听缅北禁地Deputy Special Representative for Somalia, Raisedon Zenenga, said the agency has faith the terror attacks will not taint Somalia鈥檚 progress on the road to full economic and security reform.

鈥淲e join the people and the Federal Government of Somalia in condemning this act of terror in no uncertain terms - such reprehensible acts of terrorism will not in any way undermine the determination of the Somali people to pursue their state-building, economic recovery and security priorities,鈥� she said.

鈥淭he United Nations and the wider international community stand with them鈥�

UNSOM expresses its condolences to the families of the victims of the attack and wishes a speedy recovery for the injured.