French leader meets Somali Pres. for talks in Paris

(MENAFN – Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) French President Francois Hollande on Wednesday met with Somali Federal President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud for talks on security issues in Somalia and France’s contribution to shoring up the Federal authorities in Mogadishu.

Hollande’s office recalled that France is helping with training of Somali security forces and in financing the African Union peace-keeping force that has been fighting against Al-Shebab terrorists, with some notably successes in recent weeks.

“The President of the Republic welcomed the recent successes, notably the re-conquering of the port of Baraawe (by the African force),” a statement from the Elysee Palace said.

The two leaders also discussed the European Union engagement in the waters off Somalia to stem the threat of piracy from clandestine bases on the Somali coast. France is a leading participant in Operation Atalante, which is under EU auspices, and which has “permitted the considerable of acts of piracy,” the French statement remarked.

Hollande also “gave his support to the efforts undertaken by the Somali authorities to stabilise liberated zones and to put the Federal State in place.” France also reiterated its commitment to support humanitarian operations in Somalia.