Top UN envoy for Somalia has strongly condemned the recent targeted attacks in Mogadishu which he said are aimed at delaying the ongoing work by the new government to stabilize the Horn of Africa nation.

In a statement issued in Nairobi, UN Special Representative for Somalia, Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah said the attacks are aimed at delaying measures aimed at restoring peace as well as the adoption of Sharia law by the Parliament.

"Yesterday (Thursday) a group, acting in a furtive manner, attempted to assassinate a courageous countryman who is a cabinet member," said Ould-Abdallah. "And the day before an innocent Member of Parliament, was killed. I totally deplore these attacks on two true Moslems."

The UN envoy said it was clear that those behind these violent acts are desperate because they are aware of the positive steps made by the government and its efforts to respond to the wishes of the people and the region.

He said progress was being made in the field and all members of the international community are expressing their willingness to help.

"Those who carry out these attacks against Somali Moslems will not escape the justice of God or of men. They have been condemned, not only by the international community and the Somali leadership, but by their own people," said Ould-Abdallah.

"Their real objective is to denigrate Somalia's image in the region and further abroad and to keep the country in the state of lawlessness that has benefited them for the past 20 years. However I am confident that this time they will not succeed," the envoy added.

Somalia's fledgling Government of National Unity, established in February, is tasked with fighting lawlessness in the country, which has been riven by factional fighting and had not had a functioning central government since the overthrow of Siad Barre in 1991.

(Xinhua News Agency April 17, 2009)