Ethiopia denies Somali 'interference'

The Somali speaker narrowly survived an attack near Baidoa

The Ethiopian Foreign Ministry has rejected allegations from Somali Interim Prime Minister Ali Khalif Galayr, that Ethiopia was interfering in Somalia.

The director of the ministry said that the criticism in a BBC interview was an attempt to shore up the interim Somali Government's dubious authority.

He called it a "calculated attempt to seek scapegoats" and a dangerous tactic to mobilise international support as a substitute for domestic support.

He also warned that Ethiopia would respond "in the appropriate and stern manner" to any attempts.to undermine Ethiopia's security.

Arming opponents

In the interview, Mr Galayr - who is visiting Djibouti - said Ethiopia was arming factions opposed to the government, occupying Somali districts and had recently increased its military presence in the country.

The accusation came just days after an attack on Somalia's parliamentary speaker, Abdallah Derow Issak, which he narrowly survived.

After going missing, he resurfaced in Tieglow on Monday, blaming Ethiopia for the attack and accusing the country of training militiamen in the town of Gode.

Ethiopia has never formally recognised the transitional Somali Government elected in August after nearly a decade of civil war and chaos.