Jun 29 2001 NAIROBI, (IRIN) - Two MPs have accused the Transitional National Government (TNG) of embezzling donor funds, news agencies and local media said on Thursday. Finance Minister Sayyid Ahmad Shaykh Dahir confessed to being part of the scandal when the misappropriation of US $3.5 million was discussed in parliament on Wednesday.

He admitted to putting US $200,000 to personal use, AFP said. Quoting MP Hasan Ahmad Sadiq, AFP said the finance minister had told parliament on Wednesday that Prime Minister Ali Khalif Galaydh had obtained one million dollars from the national kitty. The finance minister reportedly also told parliament that the head of the recently established central bank, Ahmad Muhammad Ulusow, also obtained US $750,000. Some US $770,000 allocated for the payment of MPs' allowances was also handed over to Ulusow, while parliamentarians failed to receive their dues, AFP said. Dahir was unable to explain how a further US $780,000 had been spent.

"If the government cannot show accountability, parliament should come up with a vote of no confidence", Hasan Ahmad Sadiq told AFP. Earlier this month, the TNG told parliament it had received US $11 million from Saudi Arabia and another US $3 million dollars from Qatar this year.

On Monday, Mogadishu faction leader Husayn Aydid accused the TNG of using funds to import arms and fake money, and urged potential donors to turn down TNG appeals until a "national unity government" had been set up. -