CAIRO, Egypt Apr 21 (Garowe Online) - The interim president of Somalia has reportedly asked the Egyptian government for military assistance, Radio Garowe reports.

President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed was in Egypt on Tuesday, where he held official talks with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.

Egyptian newspaper Al-Ahram reported last week that the Somali leader asked the Egyptian government financial and military aid to "combat pirates and opposition groups."

A member of President Sheikh Sharif's delegation confirmed the report, adding: "This trip [to Egypt] is part of the President's effort to draw support so the new government can complete its tasks during its two-year mandate."

The report comes at a time Sheikh Sharif's interim government, backed by Western aid and African Union peacekeepers, is battling against Islamist hardliners like Al Shabaab and Hizbul Islam.

Source: Garowe Online