Al-Qaeda donates food, money to Somalis

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MOGADISHU, Oct 15 (AFP): Islamist extremist group Al-Qaeda has donated food, money and clothes to Somalia in an apparent publicity push that shows its close ties with the Shebab rebels, a monitoring service said Friday. Citing photos released by the rebels, the Intel Center monitoring group said the aid was delivered at a high-profile ceremony in the country in a bid to cement a stronger support base with the Somali population. Aid agencies say regular deliveries of much-needed aid in the poverty- stricken country are almost impossible due to the security situation, as rebels routinely steal donated food and medicines, and aid workers are threatened with kidnapping.