PARIS, Jan 2 (KUNA) -- France on Thursday condemned a twin bomb attack in Somalia on Wednesday in which around a dozen people died and scores were wounded, according to preliminary figures.
The attacks took place in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, which is nominally under government control but subject to raids and bombings by Al-Shebab Islamic extremist militants and other anti-government militias.
Expressing condolences for the relatives of the victims, Paris reiterated its support for the Somali government. France has given strong backing to the Mogadishu authorities and has helped train security forces in both bilateral and European programmes.
The French navy also plays a key role in helping fight piracy in the high seas off Somalia, notably in the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean waterways.
"France supports the efforts of the Somali authorities to favour stability (and) also welcomes the actions taken by the Somali police and army, as well as those of the African Union mission in Somalia in order to restore peace and security," a Foreign Ministry statement said. (end) jk.ajs KUNA 021528 Jan 14NNNN