Tuesday, January 23, 2007
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Yemeni Ambassador to Somalia Ahmed Hamid Omar speaks to journalists. Yemen has become the first country to open an embassy in the Somali capital since the government, backed by Ethiopian forces, ejected Mogadishu Islamist rulers last month.(AFP/Shabelle)
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MOGADISHU (AFP) - Yemen has become the first country to open an embassy in the Somali capital since the government, backed by Ethiopian forces, ejected Mogadishu Islamist rulers last month.
Sanaa, which has played a key role in talks between disparate Somali leaders, established its embassy in Mogadishu's southern K4 neighbourhood.
"I am very proud to raise the flag of my country in the brotherly nation of Somalia. It is a great honour for my country and Somalia as well," said Ahmed Omar, the new Yemeni ambassador to Somalia Tuesday.
"The Yemeni embassy in Somalia is fully equipped and will give all diplomatic services inside Mogadishu," Omar said at the inauguration ceremony attended by senior Somali government officials.
"Yemen has historical ties with Somalia and played a major effort in bringing peace to the war-torn nation."
Deputy Prime Minister Hussein Mohamed Aidid said Yemen's diplomatic presence in the capital was a sign that Mogadishu was overcoming its perennial insecurity.
"The presence of a Yemeni embassy here shows the improved level of security in the Somali capital," Aidid said.
Source: AFP, Jan 23, 2007