Aug 25, 2010 / 08:58 am
The Holy Father expressed his closeness to those in Somalia suffering from attacks by the militant Islamist group Al-Shabaab in the country's capital. Three days of fighting between government forces and the al-Qaeda inspired insurgents have left many dead and injured.
From Castel Gandolfo, the Pope said at the general audience that he is "close to all the families of the victims and all of those who, in Somalia, suffer due to hate and instability."
AFP reported early on Wednesday that "heavy clashes" continue in the capital city of Mogadishu between government forces allied with African peacekeepers and members of the "Al-Qaeda inspired" Islamist Al-Shabaab movement.
Numbers vary on exactly how many casualties there have been, but many news sources agree that at least six members of parliament were among the more than 30 people killed in a Tuesday attack at a Mogadishu hotel. The militants' strike also injured around 140 people.