Somalia: PM arrives in Baidoa ahead of Security Summit

BAIDOA, Somalia - Somali Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire has on Sunday morning arrived in Baidoa town, the interim administrative capital of Southwest regional state, Garowe Online reports.

Southwest leader, Sharif Hassan and other high-ranking officials welcomed the PM and his delegation at Shati-Gadud Airport and subsequently were escorted to the presidential palace in the southern city.

Sources tell GO that the premier is set to attend a summit on the country's national security which is scheduled to kick off in Baidoa in the forthcoming hours.

The leaders of the five Federal member States, namely Puntland, Galmudug, HirShabelle, Southwest, and Jubbaland are also expected to reach the city and participate in the key meeting.

Somali president Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo and speaker of the Lower House Chamber of the Federal Parliament, Mohamed Mursal are said to be traveling today to Baidoa for the high-level conference.

Meanwhile, hundreds of security personnel backed by Ethiopian soldiers serving under AMISOM were deployed on the main streets ahead of National Security Conference.

The meeting has been postponed twice because of an internal dispute between the leaders of the Government and regional states who are at loggerheads over several issues including Mogadishu's stance towards the Gulf crisis. 

GAROWE ONLINE