Mogadishu, Somalia (HOL) -- The Somali state-run media has broadcasted that President Hassan Sheik Mahmoud is currently on a Turkish destroyer which moved closer to Mogadishu sea port on Thursday.
President Hassan was invited to a luncheon organized on the Turkish destroyer. This is the first time that a Turkish navy destroyer moves closer to Somali capital Mogadishu.
Meanwhile, The Turkish Navy Chief staff Admiral Murat who arrived in Somalia on Thursday held lengthy talks with key government officials including minister of defence and army commanders.
Admiral Murat visited the defence ministry where he met with minister of defence Mohamed Sheik Hassan Hamud, the Somali army chief of Staff General Dahir Aden Elmi and Somali Navy commander General Madey Nurow Ufurow.
Both sides discussed on the strengthening of military cooperation between Turkey and Somalia. During the meeting, Somali army chief of Staff General Dahir Aden Elmi briefed the Turkish official on the recent developments made by the Somali military in the fight against Al Shabab militants.
For his part the Somali minister of defence Mohamed Sheik Hassan Hamud thanked the Turkish Navy Chief for the historic visit to the country and pledged that Somalia will develop a continued and strong cooperation with Turkey.
The visit of the Turkish Navy commander to Somalia comes several weeks after his Somali counterpart General Madey Nurow Ufurow toured to Turkey to pave the way for a greater cooperation the two countries.
HOl English News Desk