The New York Times published a report on what it said was a "rivalry" between Qatar and the UAE over influence in Somalia.
The coast of Somalia, which spans the Horn of Africa, provides important access to markets with fast economic growth and gives it influence over shipping and shipping routes in the Gulf region, the newspaper said.
In her report, she cited the recording of a phone call between Qatar's ambassador to Somalia and Qatari businessman Khalifa al-Muhannadi, which she said she had obtained from state intelligence at a dispute with Qatar, where al-Mohannadi spoke about an explosion in the coastal city of Busaso.
He described the businessman - according to the newspaper - the explosion that is in the interest of the State of Qatar, and that the perpetrators wanted to remove the Emirates from the management of the port of Bosasso.
Commenting on the report, a spokesman for the State Liaison Office of the State of Qatar told the newspaper that the views expressed by the businessman - who does not have any official status - belong to his person, does not reflect the policy of Doha, which seeks to support security and stability and non-interference in the affairs of other countries.
The spokesman for the New York Times said the government would investigate what Mr. al-Muhannadi said was personal.