UN pledges to help Kenya combat terrorism

Nairobi, June 28 (IANS) UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Saturday said the world body is determined to work with the Kenyan government in combating terrorism.

"It is my hope that under President Kenyatta's leadership, Kenya will enjoy prosperity, peace, harmony and security," Xinhua quoted Ban as saying here.

Ban was here to attend a UN Environment Summit which concluded Saturday.

He said the UN will support Kenya's efforts against the global militants by boosting the capacity of the country's security agencies.

"I have had a very fruitful discussion on major political and security issues concerning counter-terrorism, Somalia, South Sudan and the Great Lakes region," the UN secretary-general said.

Kenya has been currently engaged in the fight against the militia group in southern Somalia, where its soldiers are serving under the Africa Union peacekeeping mission (AMISOM).

The eastern African nation also faces insecurity as bomb and grenade attacks have become more frequent in the capital, the coastal city of Mombasa and northern eastern regions.

A string of terror attacks in recent months has taken place with the mass evacuation of tourists in Mombasa following twin attacks in Mpeketoni town, which left at least 60 people dead and many injured earlier this month.