WFP Executive Director welcomes release of its officer in Mogadishu

Rome, 23 October 2007 – The head of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) welcomed the release today of Idris Osman, officer-in-charge of WFP’s office in Mogadishu, detained by
authorities in the Somali capital since 17 October.

“We welcome the release of Idris Osman, and are pleased that he will be reunited with his family,” said WFP Executive Director Josette Sheeran at WFP headquarters in Rome.

Condemned

WFP had condemned the seizure and detention of Idris Osman, WFP’s officer-in-charge of its Mogadishu office, and called for his immediate and unconditional release.

Osman was seized by the Somali National Security Service at a UN compound in the capital.