Somalis return embassy flag, seal to American diplomats

MOGADISHU, Somalia -- The American flag and seal looted from the U.S. Embassy in 1990 were returned to visiting U.S. diplomats, who left Thursday after urging faction leaders not to let this war-torn country become a terrorist haven.

The president of Mogadishu University returned the battered U.S. flag, embassy seal and a bronze eagle during a Wednesday dinner in what he said was a goodwill gesture toward the United States.

Since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, there has been speculation that this impoverished, largely lawless Muslim country on the Horn of Africa might be a target in the U.S. terrorism war.

"It is a gift we worked hard to obtain in Mogadishu," university president Dr. Ali Sheikh Ahmed Abubakar said.

"They're precious things lost by the United States, but found again."

Zachary Teich, deputy U.S. secretary of state for East Africa, and the rest of his delegation were surprised by the returns.

He said the items will be placed in the State Department building in Washington.

"And when reopening the U.S. Embassy again in Mogadishu, this same flag will be brought back here," Teich said.