Italy to fund Somali government ministries

[Hassan6734]

The Associated Press

Thursday, January 14, 2010; 1:20 PM

 

NAIROBI, Kenya -- Italy's foreign minister says his country will fund the operations of key ministries of the fragile Somali government battling a long-running Islamic insurgency.

 

Franco Frattini says Italy is doing this to support President Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed's government because "it is the best option" the world has for stability in Somalia.

 

Frattini says Italy will also train an anti-terrorism police unit and a coast guard as well as pay the salaries of Somali police officers.

 

His announcement Thursday in Nairobi represents a major boost for Ahmed. His government is poorly funded and some police and paramilitary force members have left because they are not paid regularly.

 

Somalia has not had an effective government for 19 years.

[xiinfaniin]

this help, if true, will help Sharif

 

sheekhu waa ca-yr hadda

[Hassan6734]

Yeah, i guess we have to see what happens.