SECRETARY-GENERAL VEHEMENTLY CONDEMNS MULTIPLE BOMB ATTACKS IN NORTHERN SOMALIA,

AS SUICIDE BOMBING AT UNITED NATIONS COMPOUND KILLS TWO STAFF

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General vehemently condemns the multiple bomb attacks in northern Somalia today, which included a suicide car bombing at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) compound in Hargeisa that killed two United Nations staff and seriously injured six others, two of them critically.

The Secretary-General deplores these outrageous acts of violence deliberately targeting innocent civilians and United Nations personnel who work tirelessly to alleviate the dire suffering of Somali citizens.  He stresses the neutrality of the United Nations, as well as humanitarian personnel, and urges all parties to support and facilitate the delivery of assistance to the Somali population.

The Secretary-General sends his condolences and sympathies to the families of those killed and affected by these heinous attacks.

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For information media • not an official record