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Somalia's President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed, pictured in 2006, arrived in the capital Mogadishu for the first time since he took power in 2004 while his Ethiopia-backed government struggles to exert authority over the city. (Xinhua/AFP Photo)
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NAIROBI, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- Somalia's interim President Abdullahi Yusuf arrived in Mogadishu on Monday amid tight security, his very first visit to the capital city since taking office in 2004.

Somalia's Foreign Minister Ismail Mohamud Hurreh, speaking over phone from Mogadishu, told Xinhua that Yusuf flew in the bullet-infested capital shortly after noon time and kept the visit unannounced for security concerns.

"The president arrived in Mogadishu about two hours ago. We expect him to stay in Mogadishu for an unspecified period as he holds consultations with various people," Hurreh said.

"The visit is sending clear message to all Somalis that the Transitional Government of Somalia has every intention to move to the capital. Mogadishu has been lacking governance for a long period of time and this visit signals the end of lack of governance in Mogadishu," Hurreh added.

At the moment, President Yusuf and Prime Minister Mohammed Ali Ghedi are at Villa Somalia, the former presidential palace in southern Mogadishu, for discussions with clan elders about the faltering disarmament process.

Since being elected Somalia's interim president, Yusuf has always said it was too dangerous for him to set up a government in Mogadishu and has set up a camp at the provisional outpost of Baidoa.

Witnesses said Mogadishu streets were under heavy security on Monday after several protests and attacks in recent days against Ethiopian troops, which are backing the Somali transitional government to defeat rivalling Islamic forces.

ADDIS ABABA, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- The African Union (AU) on Monday underlined the urgency of the deployment of a peace support mission in Somalia in order to build on the current momentum to stabilize the situation.

It also underlined the need for continued support by the United Nations and its Security Council, as well as by other AU partners, said a statement issued after its Peace and Security Council meeting. Full story>>>

S Africa asked to send troops to Somalia

JOHANNESBURG, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- The African Union's Peace and Security Council has asked South Africa to send troops to Somalia, the country's Department of Foreign Affairs said on Monday.

Department spokesman Ronnie Mamoepa said that the request was made during a visit to Washington by South African Foreign Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.

He said the request would be referred to the cabinet for a decision.

Dlamini-Zuma discussed the situations in Sudan, the Middle East and Iran with United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on the last day of her visit on Monday, he added.

The issues had been raised in the United Nations Security Council, where South Africa recently assumed a non-permanent seat.