Asmara — The Chairman of the Union of Islamic Courts Council, Sheik Hassan Dahir Aweys, who is participating in the Somali Congress for Liberation and Reconstitution, dismissed accusations leveled against him by the United States as baseless. He said that the US cannot present any concrete evidence for its unfounded accusations.

In a press conference he gave to the Eritrean media today, Sheik Hassan Dahir Aweys declared: "I am a Somali nationalist fighting for a free and united Somalia and this is considered by the US Administration as terrorism." He underlined that the US officials who are making such baseless allegation would end up in failure.

Expressing satisfaction with the Congress characterized with a spirit of understanding and maturity, the Chairman of the Union of Islamic Courts Council lauded the Congress as exemplary.

Outlining his views on future prospects in the Horn of Africa, Sheik Hassan Dahir Aweys said that the people of the region share a common destiny and mutual understanding. Hence, they have nothing to worry about, he elaborated. Sheik Hassan Dahir Aweys went on to underline that the only problem is the interference of the United States and its servants, namely the Ethiopian leaders.