Mogadishu — UN's top humanitarian official, John Holmes, has arrived in the Somali capital Mogadishu on Saturday as two bomb explosions which claimed the lives of four occurred at the center of the gun-infested city.

Mr. Holmes, U.N. undersecretary-general for humanitarian affairs, was the first high ranking official to make a landmark visit to the Horn of African nation. His meeting with Somali president Abdulahi and other senior government officials was held up briefly by double blasts that rocked the capital city.

The blasts occurred in south and north of Mogadishu.

Holmes told journalists after he landed at Mogadishu's international airport that he came to Somalia to push the interim government to let the humanitarian aid reach the people of Somalia who have been affected badly by constant battles.

"It is their responsibility to look after civilians, to protect civilians and at the very least not to obstruct aid," Holmes said.

His arrival comes a day after UN special envoy for Somalia, Francois Fall, reached Mogadishu and met with the country's two top leaders, president Yusuf and his influential premier, Ali Gedi, at the presidential compound. They discussed matters pertaining to the upcoming national reconciliation conference which is supposed to happen next as president said early May.

Aid groups say the fighting in Somalia killed 1,670 people between March 12 and April 26 and forced up to 400,000 of the city's 2 million residents fleeing, many into filthy makeshift shelters in the bushes around Afgoi settlements, 30 KM west of Mogadishu.

Holmes indicated that it was unlikely to deploy more AU forces in the impoverished country unless the US and Ethiopian backed Somali government improves the security situation in the world's most perilous city, Mogadishu.

Soon after the blast in the south took place, Mogadishu mayor, Mohammed Dheere, arrived at UNDP area where Mr. Holmes and Eric Lorech, UN humanitarian coordinator, were touring.

Dheere said he was determined to secure the volatile city, but complained that there was lack of finance and proper police equipment which, he said, could be a great hindrance to the restoration of peace and stability in Mogadishu.