Mogadishu (Sunatimes) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon with the Somali Prime Minister, Abdiweli Mohamed Ali at Adan Ade International Airport, Mogadishu.

United Nations will have its Somalia Office opened in the war-torn capital Mogadishu, next year, UN chief says.

Addressing a press conference in Mogadishu on Friday, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the UN Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS) will be moved from Nairobi to Mogadishu, January next year.

The UN chief also hailed the recent Roadmap agreed during the September consultative meeting in Mogadishu, calling it an opportunity for the Somali population in getting long lasting peace in Somalia.

Ki-Moon lambasted on Somali rebel group, saying the group is a threat to peace and stability in Somalia. He also blamed the outlawed group for banning aid groups including UN aid agencies in areas under its control.

The UN boss is said to be meeting African Union officials in Mogadishu.

Ban Ki-Moon who arrived in Mogadishu early this morning is the first U.N.’s top leader to visit a city known for a seemingly perpetual state of war in years.

Immediately after he arrived, Ban met with Somali leaders and officials from the African Union force.

His visit to the war-torn capital was made possible after AU force weakened Al-Shabaab’s military capability by overrunning militant bases in the city.

All major roads in the city were closed and flights in and out of Mogadishu were cancelled for security reasons.

Heavily armed contingent of police and military personnel were reportedly seen patrol along the major roads in the city.

The UN boss is accompanied by the UN special representative to Somalia Augustine Mahiga and other top UN officials.

By Fadumo Farah