Somalia PM meets security chiefs to boost security in the country

MOGADISHU, Somalia -- Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre on Tuesday chaired a crucial meeting with the country's top security chiefs aimed at addressing the overall security situation in the country.

The prime minister's office said the meeting, which was held in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, focused on the elimination of al-Shabab terrorists who have staged several terror attacks in the country and efforts to bolster national defense.

"We discussed our overall security situation, taking on the Kharijites (al-Shabab militants) and boosting our defense. Our government is determined to face these challenges head-on with a comprehensive and proactive approach," Barre said in a statement.

During the meeting, Barre emphasized the government's resolute determination to tackle the security challenges faced by Somalia.

"It reflects a comprehensive and proactive approach in addressing both domestic and foreign threats, with particular emphasis on eliminating the Kharijites and strengthening our national defense capabilities," he added.

The meeting also discussed the ongoing operations against terrorists, the security situation, and the need for a unified and proactive response to new challenges.

The meeting came amid a diplomatic spat between Somalia and Ethiopia that prompted Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to nullify an agreement reached between Addis Ababa and Somaliland, a self-declared region of Somalia, that allows Ethiopia access to the Red Sea in return for its recognition of Somaliland as an independent state.

Somalia has termed the deal which was inked on Jan. 1 to give landlocked Ethiopia rights to use the Red Sea port of Berbera as a violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity and appealed to the international community to intervene.