Statement Attributable to the Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General on Somalia

NEW YORK, November 29, 2011/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The Secretary-General condemns, in the strongest possible terms, Al-Shabaab's seizure of property and equipment belonging to several non-governmental organizations and United Nations agencies earlier today. This brazen act prevents these organizations from providing life-saving assistance.

The Secretary-General demands that Al-Shabaab vacate the premises and return seized property to the affected agencies and NGOs. He calls for the ban imposed today by Al-Shabaab against these humanitarian organizations to be lifted immediately. He further calls on all parties in Somalia to respect international humanitarian law.

New York, 28 November 2011