Addis Ababa, (Sunatimes)- Somali prime Minister Muhammad Abdullahi has urged the international community to further extend support for his country to set up a stable and strong government that replaces the TFG [Transitional Federal Government] of Somalia.

In a press conference he gave journalists at the UN ECA [Economic Commission for Africa, in Addis Ababa] on Monday [31 January] the PM expressed gratitude for the international community for helping the TFG. He said the TFG parliament would be dissolved after August 2011. However, he said the positive support to extend the tenure of the parliament is welcomed.

The PM lauded the proposal made by IGAD [Inter-Governmental Authority on Development] for possible extension of the [mandate of the] Somali parliament.

It was noted that the IGAD heads of state and government summit, after a closed-session in Addis Ababa on Sunday [30 January], issued a communique that proposed a possible extension of [the mandate of the] Somali parliament.

The FM said the TFG took notes of IGAD's proposal and would present for ministers of council and the TFG parliament. He said his government is open to receive constructive ideas for the extension of parliament's tenure from UN, donors, friends of Somalia and Somalis Diaspora. However, he said the final decision would be given by the people and government of Somalia.

The foreign minister called on Somalis living in the country and abroad to work closely for the unified and stable Somalia by setting aside their differences.

Source: ENA