U.N. official decries Somalian death toll

UNITED NATIONS, April 23 (UPI) -- An independent United Nations human rights expert Wednesday condemned the civilian death toll in Somalia.

Ghanim Alnajjar said, in a statement issued in Geneva, Switzerland, appealed for an immediate end to the violence that has claimed dozens of lives and left scores more injured in recent days as Somalian troops backed by the Ethiopian army battle anti-government militias.

Alnajjar singled out for particular rebuke, the alleged deliberate killing of several clerics from the "Altabligh Group" at the Alhidaya mosque and compound.

"The killings have to be investigated expeditiously and impartially, and any lasting peace in Somalia must be based on justice, truth and accountability," he said.