Somalia President in Egypt for Arab League summit

SHARM EL-SHEIKH , Egypt, March 28, 2015 (Garowe Online)-Amidst airstrikes by Saudi-led coalition against Houthi rebels in Yemen, Federal Government of Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has arrived in Egyptian resort, Sharm el-Sheikh for Arab league summit, Garowe Online reports.

President Mohamud’s delegation including Foreign Affairs Minister Abdisalan Omar Hadliye was received at Sharm el-Sheikh airport by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Arab league officials on Friday.

The visit to the Red Sea town has come a few hours after Somalia voiced support for Saudi-led coalition that continues to pummel Houthi-controlled strongholds in Yemen.

“Having reviewed the request by the legitimate Yemeni President Abd Rabbuh Mansur for collective Arab effort in Yemen, Somalia stands by Yemeni government in its fight against terrorist groups that are trying to harm peace and stability,” Somalia government said in a press statement in advance Mohamud’s trip to Egypt.

Somalia said it is ready to share its experience with Yemen and Saudi-led collation amid reports that Saudi Arabia is likely to use the East African country’s airspace for Yemen airstrikes.

Yemen crises are taking center stage in the agendas by Saturday, with over a dozen Arab leaders present in the extra-ordinary gathering.

Somalia has sided with Saudi Arabia in diplomatic row with Sweden-a fierce critic of the Gulf State’s Human Rights record.

Meanwhile, coalition jets are targeting Houthis in Yemen, destroying key installations, arms depots and air bases.

More than 10 Arab countries with Saudi Arabia and Egypt at the forefront are taking part in the military campaign which analysts predict would make ground incursion unavoidable in impoverished Yemen. 

GAROWE ONLINE