Somalia's prime minister has accused Libya, Egypt and Iran of fueling conflict in Somalia by supporting terrorists.
Ali Mohammed Gedi said Saturday in Baidoa the three middle-eastern nations were backing Islamist militias that have taken control of the capital, Mogadishu, and much of Southern Somalia.
Egypt's Foreign Ministry rejected the charge.
Mr. Gedi made the accusation after the funeral of Abdallah Deerow Isaaq, the interim minister for constitutional and federal affairs, who was assassinated Friday outside a mosque in Baidoa.
Isaaq's death is the latest blow to Somalia's U.N.-backed interim government, which is powerless outside of its base in Baidoa.
U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Jendayi Frazier, speaking Saturday in Kinshasa, Congo, said both the Somali government and the militias have been backed by foreign forces.
Some information for this report provided by AP and Reuters.