Somali PM Says Kenya Mall Attackers Must Be Held Accountable
Somali Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon said Tuesday that those behind Nairobi's deadly mall siege which has been claimed by Somalia's Shebab militants, must be brought to justice.
"Those responsible must be held accountable," the premier said during a U.N. human rights meeting in Geneva. "This tragedy has brought our countries closer."
Al-Qaida linked Shebab fighters have been besieging the upmarket Westgate mall since midday on Saturday, engaging in fierce gun battles with Kenyan security forces.
The Islamists, who claim they are still holding hostages inside the building, have said the attack was in retaliation for the presence of Kenyan troops in their country.
Kenyan troops invaded southern Somalia to attack Shebab bases two years ago, joining forces with a Somali militia warlord and wresting the key port of Kismayo from the extremists.
Kenyan troops later joined the 17,700-strong African Union force deployed in Somalia.
Shebab spokesman Ali Mohamud Rage on Tuesday warned of further attacks if Kenyan troops did not pull out of Somalia immediately.
Source: Agence France Presse
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