United Nations, Dec 24 (IANS): UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has strongly condemned the killing of two World Food Programme (WFP) officials and a member of a partner organisation in Somalia.

A gunfire attack which killed the three people took place in Mataban town of Hiiran province. The workers were monitoring food distribution in camps for internally displaced persons in the area, Xinhua reported.

The secretary-general called on Somali authorities to "ensure the safety of humanitarian workers", UN spokesman Martin Nesirky said. "He (Ban) expects those responsible to be swiftly brought to justice."

According to a WFP news release, the attacker who gunned down the three workers has given himself up to the authorities.

WFP operations have been temporarily suspended in the town while the case is under investigation.

The UN spokesman said the incident "illustrates the risks that humanitarian workers can face while working in one of the world's most difficult and dangerous environments".