Somalia’s defense minister Abdihakim Haji Mohamud Fiqi, has on Sunday met separately with Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General to Somalia Augustine Mahiga, and Arab League envoy to Somalia Mohamed Abdalla Idiris, in Mogadishu.

Mr Fiqi and Ambassador Mahiga talked about UN assistance to Somalia and how they can cooperate in rehabilitating youth defecting from Al-shabaab militants.

The minister said that more than 30 Al-shabaab fighter recently defected after realizing that Al-Qaeda’s future was not assured.

Also present at the meeting was Ahmed Mohamed Mohamud, deputy defense minister and army commander Gen. Dhega-badan.

The minister also met with Mohamed Abdalla Idiris, Arab League envoy to Somalia.

The two discussed about the relationship between Somalia and Arab league and how the later can help in lifting the UN arms embargo which adversely affects the development of Somalia army.

Ambassador Idiris promised that Arab league will support the security and stabilization of Somalia.