Mogadishu,2nd November 2002 (WAM)
By Banadir.com

SOMALI Assistant Interior Minister Mahmoud Ali Hassan yesterday lauded the Presidnet, His Highness Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, for his continued help for the Somali people.

In a statement in Mogadishu on the arrival of the first plane of a UAE's food airlift to Somalia, Mr Hassan said that the Somali government and people valued Shaikh Zayed's generosity to the Somali people at a time when the country was experiencing a severe drought.

Ahmed Sadiq Al Khaja, Deputy Director of the Red Crescent Society's relief department, who is leading the relief team, said on board the plane, said that it was part of an airlift comprising seven planes laden with 212 tonnes of food and clothes that would be distributed to the needy in several parts of Somalia. - Wam