Written question asked by Mark Simmonds (Conservative) on Wednesday, 8 February 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 13 February 2006. It was answered by Ian Pearson (Labour) on Wednesday, 15 February 2006 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Somalia

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the security situation in Somalia.

Answer: Somalia has had no effective Government since 1991. We are supporting the establishment of Transitional Federal Institutions to restore peace and security, but in the interim most of Somalia continues to be controlled by armed clans and factions which frequently resort to violence. We therefore advise against all travel to Somalia because of the terrorist threat, the dangerous level of criminal activity and internal insecurity. Westerners and those working for western organisations have been targeted in recent shootings.

Secondary information