Somali premier condemns clashes in Mogadishu

By Mohammed Dhaysane

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AA) - Somalia's prime minister condemned clashes on Friday between government forces and opposition protesters in the capital Mogadishu, underlining that the presence of armed demonstrators was "unacceptable".

"Every person in this country has a constitutional right to protest peacefully but my government will not tolerate any armed protesters and it is unacceptable," Mohamed Hussein Roble said in a televised speech.

Calling on residents of the capital to reject the prospect of conflict in the city and destruction of their property, Roble said his government was committed to hold peaceful, transparent and inclusive elections in the Horn of Africa country.

"The promised elections will take place and a success has already been achieved," he said.

His speech came hours after Somali government forces clashed with protesters in an anti-government rally led by opposition presidential candidates near Mogadishu airport.