It alleged that around 70% of money intended for development and reconstruction in a country racked by 20 years of war was unaccounted for.

A statement from the prime minister's office said the allegations were "absolutely and demonstrably false".

The UN-backed government's mandate expires next month when it is due to hand over to an elected president.

The Horn of Africa nation has been without an effective central government since 1991 and has witnessed near constant fighting between rival factions ever since - a situation that has allowed piracy and lawlessness to flourish.