The Islamic Cooperation Organization (ICO)’s secretary-general, professor Ekmeleddin Ä°hsanoglu on Monday said the ICO is committed to supporting democratic transformation in Somalia, the building of peace, stability and development in order to restore Somalia’s customary role in the Islamic family.

Speaking in Mogadishu after meeting Somali leaders including President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Professor Oglu asserted the significance of the visit which constitutes a strong message of support to the new Somali leadership and to stability and peace in the embattled country which has been torn apart by more than two decades of civil war.

“I am really delighted to be here, myself and my colleagues in the name of the organisation of Islamic cooperation to share with the people of Somalia this moment of historical achievement from long transition to peaceful transformation of power. A transition to a new constitutional set up and an election of a new parliament and election of new president,” said ICO secretary-general, professor Ekmeleddin Ä°hsanoglu.

Professor Oglu also confirmed the ICO’s continuous support in humanitarian aspects in Somalia since the inauguration of the organization’s office which has overseen humanitarian relief operations in Mogadishu since March 2011.

“Of course OIC has been always with the people of Somalia and particularly in the last few years, it has been more active in all political and developmental aspects through different institutions. OIC and its all organs will be with you helping you forward for much better future, stable secure and prosperous Somalia,” Oglu added.

Professor Oglu held talks with President Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud, and the immediate Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali and is due to meet the former TFG president Sharif Sheikh Ahmed.

“Today we have had discussions with the PM (former) about the achievements we made together and about future activities which we all longed for strong stable and prosperous ,”he said.

Professor Oglu is also expected to visit camps of displaced victims of the 2011 drought in Somalia.