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Insecurity shuts Somalia aid work Insecurity shuts Somalia aid work
(40 minutes later)
The aid organisation Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) has shut down a project in southern Somalia citing increased insecurity.The aid organisation Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) has shut down a project in southern Somalia citing increased insecurity.
MSF's Arjan Hehenkamp said staff in Kismayo cannot continue working where they are deliberately targeted.MSF's Arjan Hehenkamp said staff in Kismayo cannot continue working where they are deliberately targeted.
The move comes only days after gunmen kidnapped two UN foreign workers.The move comes only days after gunmen kidnapped two UN foreign workers.
Meanwhile, an estimated four people have died in south-west Somalia in an Islamist raid on a hotel where a local governor was staying. He was unhurt.Meanwhile, an estimated four people have died in south-west Somalia in an Islamist raid on a hotel where a local governor was staying. He was unhurt.
Reports say the Islamist insurgents have been regrouping and have briefly taken over six towns in the last few weeks.Reports say the Islamist insurgents have been regrouping and have briefly taken over six towns in the last few weeks.
Fighting spreadingFighting spreading
In February, MSF withdrew is staff from Kismayo after three members were killed by a bomb. In February, MSF withdrew its staff from Kismayo after three members were killed by a bomb.
"There is a significant need for independent humanitarian assistance in Kismayo but we cannot continue working in a place where our staff are deliberately targeted and brutally murdered," Mr Hehenkamp, MSF's director of operations, said."There is a significant need for independent humanitarian assistance in Kismayo but we cannot continue working in a place where our staff are deliberately targeted and brutally murdered," Mr Hehenkamp, MSF's director of operations, said.
The medical agency will, however, maintain limited international staff at its projects in 10 other regions of Somalia. The medical agency will, however, maintain limited international staff at some projects in 10 other regions of Somalia.
The fate of a Briton and Kenyan taken hostage on Tuesday remains unknown.The fate of a Briton and Kenyan taken hostage on Tuesday remains unknown.
They were employed by the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation to conduct aerial surveys of southern Somalia.They were employed by the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation to conduct aerial surveys of southern Somalia.
UN officials say local elders are negotiating their release.UN officials say local elders are negotiating their release.
The hotel attack in the south-west Bay region was witnessed by a local elder.The hotel attack in the south-west Bay region was witnessed by a local elder.
"I saw four people killed in the clashes, two of them were policemen guarding the governor," Abdi Ganey told AFP news agency."I saw four people killed in the clashes, two of them were policemen guarding the governor," Abdi Ganey told AFP news agency.
Ethiopian troops backing the government ousted the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) from the capital, Mogadishu, in December 2006.Ethiopian troops backing the government ousted the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) from the capital, Mogadishu, in December 2006.
Since then the city has been the scene of clashes with government and Ethiopian troops taking on insurgents.Since then the city has been the scene of clashes with government and Ethiopian troops taking on insurgents.
Now fighting has moving outside the capital and the Islamists are gaining ground in the central region.Now fighting has moving outside the capital and the Islamists are gaining ground in the central region.
This is despite Prime Minister Hussein Nur Ade inviting the Islamists for talks.This is despite Prime Minister Hussein Nur Ade inviting the Islamists for talks.
UN special envoy for Somalia Ahmedou Ould Abdallah last week held talks with members of the Somali Opposition Alliance who include UIC leader Sheikh Sharrif Sheikh Hassan, and has expressed optimism that a meeting between both sides is in the offing.UN special envoy for Somalia Ahmedou Ould Abdallah last week held talks with members of the Somali Opposition Alliance who include UIC leader Sheikh Sharrif Sheikh Hassan, and has expressed optimism that a meeting between both sides is in the offing.