Jammeh blamed the international donor community for economic difficulties. Jammeh refutes allegations President Yahya Jammeh has spoken publicly for the first time about allegations of corruption levelled against him and his government over the so-called crude oil saga. Information has been circulating since the beginning of this month linking him to the alleged secret sale of Nigerian crude oil given to The Gambia at concessionary rates. According to Radio Gambia reports, while meeting Muslim elders as part of a traditional Koriteh day celebrations at State House, Sunday, President Jammeh emphatically denied involvement in this or any underhand deals since he assumed power. The president blamed the international donor community for the country's present economic difficulties saying that since he came to power six years ago, The Gambia has not benefitted from the donor community despite several promises. Turning to the significance of Koriteh, the president mentioned the importance of faith in Allah and told the Muslim elders that it was their duty to address the problems confronting the Muslim community. On a wider scale, he urged Gambians to work towards the maintenance of the peace and stability enjoyed by the country. Earlier in the day, President Jammeh travelled from his home in Kanilai to attend end of Ramadan prayers at the King Fahd Mosque, Banjul. The prayers, attended by secretaries of state, was led by Alhaji Cherno Kah, the deputy imam of Banjul. After delivering the sermon, the imam performed the ritual of converting five people to Islam. The president later accompanied the imam ratib of Banjul to his residence. ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html ----------------------------------------------------------------------------