Somali MPs pass no laws but extend term

Somalia's Parliament voted overwhelmingly yesterday to extend its term for three more years, despite failing to pass any laws in the past six years. Its biggest achievement so far has been refurbishing the parliament building, said legislator Abdirashid Ali. He blamed insecurity; the building is frequently mortared by Islamist insurgents.

The parliament has also passed a budget, and journalists have been asking for a copy for weeks but have not been able to see it. The 500 legislators are paid $300 a month each by the United Nations.