UN "alarmed" at flouting of arms embargo

The UN Security Council on Thursday said it was alarmed at reports that foreign countries had been defying an arms embargo on Somalia and supplying militias with weapons. The Council did not name the countries it alleged were supplying arms but expressed its alarm "at the serious deterioration in the political, military and humanitarian situation in Somalia and concern at the reports of increasing external interference". The Council also condemned attacks on civilians - particularly women, children and aid workers - and urged all parties "to guarantee the security and the freedom of movement of humanitarian personnel and to ensure unhindered access to those in need of assistance".