Mogadishu,Sunatimes- Attending the summit of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), in Addis Ababa, president, Sheikh Sharif Sheik Ahmed of Somalia on Monday called on the international community to extend its quick support to rescue Somali people and government.

Sharif told the gathering leaders that his country was facing serious security challenges due to Al Shabab and other insurgent attacks against his government.

"We are facing a very serious attack from Islamists and Al Qaeda. It needs urgent solution from the international community to tackle this problem, which is affecting the region and the world as a whole," said Sharif.

Leaders from Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Sudan, Djibouti and Somalia are attending the extraordinary summit of IGAD, whose headquarters is in Djibouti.

The IGAD summit was called to review the current situation in Somalia and better help Somalia in its current security challenges, according to Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi who is chairing the on-going closed summit.

"We are at a cross road. Somalia is between the hands of Al Qaeda and Islamist groups. Delaying to support the government is giving time for these groups to better strengthen. What we have at hand is not enough to tackle the current challenges," added President Sharif.

He went on to appeal for financial support and assistance to train Somali military personnel, including the police, as well as to strengthen the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).

AMIOSM has around 5,000 peacekeeping forces from Uganda and Burundi, helping the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia to get peace and stability. Despite that however, the country remains in tense security condition.

The on going IGAD summit is expected to recommend measures in supporting Somalia