The killers of a Somali government minister had links with "international terrorism," Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Gedi said today.
"Abdallah Deerow Isaq was killed by criminals linked to international terrorism," Mr Gedi told reporters.
"It's unfortunate that some countries who we thought were our friends have united to destroy the transitional federal government. Such countries include Libya, Egypt, Iran and Eritrea who together are fuelling terrorism in Somalia."
Isaq, the constitution and federalism minister, was shot dead as he left prayers at a mosque yesterday.
A hospital nurse said Isaq, a former schoolteacher, came in with four bullet wounds in the heart and chest.
After the attack, the government blocked roads leading out of the town and hundreds of protesters angered by the killing took to the streets, burning tyres and looting stores.
Formed in 2004 in the 14th attempt to restore central rule to Somalia since the 1991 ousting of a military dictator, the government's authority has been challenged by the rise of an Islamist movement that took Mogadishu and other towns in June.