BAIDOA, Somalia July 23 (Garowe Online) - Somalia's interim federal government held a session in the southwestern town of Baidoa Wednesday, where lawmakers condemned a recent wave of assassinations targeting aid workers, businesspeople and civilians in the troubled Horn of Africa country.

Mohamed Omar Dalha, Deputy Speaker

Deputy Speaker Mohamed Omar Dalha, who chaired today's meeting, told parliament that violent groups responsible for the killings want to keep Somalia embroiled in endless war.

"The killings of humanitarian workers, businesspeople and other civilians is aimed at spoiling the Djibouti Peace Agreement and we condemn [such killings]," Dalha told lawmakers, while urging Somali and international support for the peace deal between the interim government and an Islamist-dominated opposition group.

The Somali parliament's Deputy Speaker warned the country that UN and international aid groups "might leave" due to the violence.

Five aid workers have been shot and killed in Somalia since early June and a number of humanitarian workers are being held captive.

Source: Garowe Online