UN: Somalia at risk from election row and US withdrawal

The United Nations says a deepening row in Somalia over postponed elections is putting the country’s progress towards stability under threat.

It says security is also at risk after the withdrawal last week of US troops responsible for training Somalia’s special forces.

The UN’s special representative, James Swan, has accused local politicians of brinksmanship following the delay in parliamentary polls originally due to be held last month.

There are fears it could trigger a return to clan warfare in Somalia.

The BBC’s Andrew Harding in Mogadishu says the abrupt departure of American troops could play into the hands of militant Islamist group al-Shabab, which has lost ground in recent years.