MOGADISHU, Somalia Sep 13 (Garowe Online) - The Prime Minister of Somalia's interim government paid a surprise visit to the home of a former president renowned for his staunch opposition to the Ethiopian intervention.

Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Gedi visited the home of ex-President Abdiqassim Salat Hassan in south Mogadishu on Wednesday where the two figures talked privately for three hours.

The Somali premier's talks with Abdiqassim were centered on securing Mogadishu and intended to promote closer political ties between the leaders, sources said.

Abdiqassim Salat, former Somali president

Security at and around Abdiqassim's home, which is normally guarded by heavily armed government soldiers, was tightened more for the Prime Minister's visit, neighbors said.

Both officials declined to comment to the media following their private talks yesterday but inside sources told Garowe Online that former president Abdiqassim expressed newfound optimism in Prime Minister Gedi's leadership.

"I did not think that this is his [Gedi] position but I do support the position of Ali Mohamed Gedi today," Abdiqassim said during the meeting but did not elaborate.

He called for routine meetings among senior government officials who belong to the Hawiye clan-family, to which both Abdiqassim and Gedi belong.

Abdiqassim, who was elected Somali president in 2000, is known for his open support of the Islamic Courts movement when they assumed power last year.

In November 2006, the former Somali leader reiterated the Islamists' calls for "jihad" against Ethiopian troops who had "invaded" Somalia.

Ex-President Abdiqassim Salat stated numerous times that he believes that his government, which never really gained a strong foothold in Mogadishu or anywhere else in Somalia, was crippled due to Ethiopian support for Somali warlords.

Source: Garowe Online