Speaking to the press inside the presidential palace shortly after the meeting, president Mohamud said the Italian delegation is a good start for a cordial relation between the two countries.

He said they discussed the need for Italy to double its support for Somalia as it emerges from the ashes of the two decade old conflict.

The Italian Foreign Minister on his part said Somalia and Italy enjoy strong relations and promised to continue strengthening such ties for their common good.

Terzi said Italy would continue to back the Somali government’s fight against rebels and pirates and provide “strategic” development aid and urged the new government to come with commendable work plan in order to lead the country out of the two decades old trouble.

He voiced Italy’s full support for the new government institutions.

It was the first visit to Mogadishu by an Italian foreign minister since 1992, and the only one by an EU foreign minister.

Separately, the president held talks with representatives from the international donors in Mogadishu where they discussed Somalia issues and their required financial support for Somalia in running the affairs of the new government.

Mogadishu which has recently shifted from two decades of civil strife to a quivering democracy, it has seen international figures flocking into it to voice their full support to the new government.