To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the amount of Somali territory controlled by al-Shabaab and allied insurgent factions; and if he will make a statement. (273729)

Given the security situation in Somalia, the UK has no presence on the ground and so it is difficult to make an accurate assessment of the territorial controls of the various clans and groups in Somalia. However, we are aware that the Al-Shabaab group has footholds in several areas across Somalia, including strategic southern towns and ports. We continue to work with the Somali Government to eradicate the threat insurgents groups pose to peace and reconciliation efforts in Somalia.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs with reference to paragraph 7 of the report of the UN Secretary-General on Somalia of 16 April 2009, whether his Department has made an estimate of the number of foreign fighters to have entered Somalia in support of the al-Shabaab group. (273731)

We do not have the capacity on the ground to monitor the flow of people in or out of Somalia in terms of either numbers or purpose.

However, the UK is aware of the threat posed by the Al-Shabaab group to the peace and reconciliation efforts of the new Transitional Federal Government (TFG). We believe that the current inclusive approach of the TFG is the best way to isolate the more extreme individuals and prevent the Al-Shabaab group from undermining the process.