Mogadishu, 26 October 2013 - His Excellency Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, the President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, today welcomed Ambassador Jan Eliasson, Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations, to Villa Somalia, praising the visit as "historic" and the opening of a new UN office as a "vote of confidence in the new Somalia". The President and the Deputy Secretary General held press conference after their meeting. The President said:

"Today’s visit is a historic event demonstrating the UN’s unwavering support as we welcome the Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations, Ambassador Jan Eliasson, to Somalia.

"The UN has shown its support and established a new office in Mogadishu. An effective partnership with the UN is essential for the new Somalia and this will enable us to work even closer together. Greatly improving coordination of humanitarian aid and support, decision-making, efficiency and accountability.”

The President and Deputy Secretary General met to discuss the UN’s ongoing support for Somalia and the challenges that lay ahead; including the upcoming UN Security Council session on increased support for AMSIOM and Somali National Security Forces. "Al-Shabaab are down but not dead, the Security Council must help to provide Somalia and AMISOM with the tools to finish the job. The future security and stability of Somalia relies on building a well-trained and resourced Somali National Security Forces.”

"Our relationship goes back many years, through good times as well as bad. We welcome your continued support of our government’s agenda of peace, security and nation-building. With the support of UN, AMISOM and our international partners we have already come a very long way in the past year. The world has seen the progress we have made but we still have a long way to go on the road to a more peaceful and prosperous Somalia. We are working for a Somalia that is at peace with itself and its neighbors’, where its citizens can go about their daily lives in safety, and provide for their families with confidence and dignity.

"I am delighted that the UN will be here to walk along that road with us” the President said.” - ENDS –