New York, 10 July-(ANA)-The U.N. Security Council has warned Eritrea it would consider action against anyone undermining peace in Somalia, in a threat of possible sanctions on Asmara for alleged support to rebels.
The warning followed an appeal by African Union leaders last week to the 15-nation council to impose sanctions on Eritrea, which the AU said was aiding Islamist insurgents fighting Somali government forces.
Somalia's government and others have accused Eritrea of supplying arms to the insurgents in breach of a U.N. embargo that allows such shipments only to the government.
Diplomats said any sanctions would be considered after a U.N. group monitoring the embargo reports back later this month.
Al Qaeda-linked fighters belonging to the al Shabaab insurgent group control much of southern and central Somalia and most of the capital Mogadishu.
Last week over 70 people were killed as government troops tried to drive back insurgents who have been advancing on government position in Mogadishu.
The top U.N. political official, Lynn Pascoe, told a council debate it was "a critical time for Somalia," where 1.3 million people are internally displaced. (ANA)
Amnesty/Report