President Hassan Sheikh pledges to enhance ties with US

omali president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has held talks with Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken.

The officials held talks over the phone.

According to a statement, the Secretary Blinken congratulated president Hassan on his election.

They discussed shared interests in supporting Somalia on its path to democracy and stability.

They discussed the importance of political reconciliation, developing security forces that can assume responsibility from the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia, and economic reforms necessary to complete Somalia’s path to debt relief.

The Secretary conveyed the United States’ enduring support for efforts by Somalia and the African Union to combat the threat posed by terrorist groups.