adminThe UN chief and the president of the UN General Assembly, Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, held talks with Somali senior leaders, including Somali President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, Prime Minister Abdelweli Mohamed Ali and Speaker of the Somali parliament Sharif Hassan Sheikh Adam.
“We had a series of very constructive discussions with the president and other top leadership for the future and how the international community helps the Somali government and people,” Ban Ki-moon said during a joint news conference with the Somali president and other top leaders.
The UN secretary-general announced that the world body’s office for Somalia which has been based in neighbouring Kenya will be moved to Mogadishu in January.
The relocation of the UN Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS) to the Somali capital has been a key demand for the Somali government since security of Mogadishu improved with the withdrawal of radical rebel fighters from the city in August following major offensive by Somali government forces and African peacekeeping troops.
“I believe that we are now at a critical juncture, a moment of fresh opportunities for the future of the Somalian people,” Ban said, pointing out that Somalia has made gains in its war against Al-Qaeda linked Al-Shabaab group.
The Somali president for his part thanked the UN for its continued support to the horn of African nation reeling from famine and drought which has left many dead and hundreds of thousands out of their homes in southern Somalia.
The visit by the UN chief and the president of the UN General Assembly is the first of its kind for almost 18 years to the war-torn country, where Al-Shabaab has been fighting against the internationally recognised central government.
Ban also expressed support for the Kenyan military operation against Al-Shabaab in the south of Somalia after the group was alleged to have carried out abductions of foreigners in cross- border raids. — Xinhua.
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