Mogadishu (Sunatimes) Somali president Sharif Sheikh Ahmed Wednesday received in his presidential palace in Mogadishu a British delegation led by David Cameroon’s adviser.

The UK delegation arrived in Mogadishu to lay ground for the highly awaited international conference on Somalia in London on Feb. 23 next year which will be hosted by Britain.

The delegation held talks with Somali Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali and other senior TFG officials in Mogadishu and discussed lengthily on several issues including Security, reconciliation process and the work plan of the recently adopted Roadmap.

Britain has earlier last month announced that it will host an international conference next year on tackling instability in Somalia and protecting ships from pirates in the Gulf of Aden.

Prime Minister David Cameron said Somalia was a “failed state that directly threatens British interests,” citing attacks on tourists and aid workers, and radicalisation of young Britons by militant Islamist groups with roots in the region.

He said there is pressing need to pull together the international effort and that is why Britain will host a major conference in London next year.

The Somali conference was to “focus attention on protecting merchant ships passing through the Gulf of Aden, tackling pirates, pressurising the extremists, supporting countries in the region and addressing the causes of conflict and instability in Somalia.

By Fadumo Farah