LOC00:43
21:43 GMT
ROME, Jan 20 (KUNA) -- Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi on Thursday
vowed to continue to support Somalia's stability and safety.
His remarks came during his reception of Somali counterpart Mohamed
Abdullahi Mohamed at Palazzo Chigi in Rome earlier today.
A statement by the premiership office here said Berlusconi promised Italy's
"political and financial support" for the Transitional Federal Government in
Somalia.
The talks, attended by Foreign Minister Franco Frattini, focused on
security issues in the African country, as well as counterterrorism and
organized crime combating schemes, in addition to fighting offshore piracy
before the Horn of Africa, the statement noted.
It also pointed out that Italy is the first European country to be visited
by Mohamed since assuming power in the violence-striven country.
Mohamed had called on Italy to offer urgent help to address impacts of
drought in his country to avoid a human tragedy that could jeopardize the
lives of 2.5 million people. (end)
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KUNA 210043 Jan 11NNNN