Vietnam has expressed concern aboutcurrent violence in Somalia and called on the international communityto support the Transitional Federal Government (FTG) in Somalia.

“My delegation remains deeply concerned about the ongoing violence inand around the Somali capital of Mogadishu as reflected by intensifiedattacks by insurgent groups, against the TFG and the African UnionMission in Somalia (AMISOM),” Ambassador Hoang Chi Trung, VietnameseCharge d’Affaires at the UN, made the statement at a UN SecurityCouncil debate on Somalia on July 9.

The diplomat said given the sufferings that are being visited upon thecivilian population and the continuing deterioration of the securityand humanitarian situation in the country, there is obviously an urgentneed for immediate and vigorous international support for the TFG’sendeavors to repel the onslaught of extremist forces, which are intenton destroying the Djibouti peace process and spoiling the efforts tobring peace and stability to Somalia through political reconciliation.

“Vietnam supports the TFG’s call for the mobilisation of additionaltroops for AMISOM in order to enable it to withstand the insurgentattacks,” he said.

The diplomat stressed Vietnam welcomes the pledges made by thegovernment of African countries to contribute troops to AMISOM in thecoming time.

Trung also called on the international community to exert efforts forthe peace process and stability in the region and to work for closercooperation and a more effective partnership between the United NationsPolitical Office for Somalia (UNPOS), the Inter-Governmental Authorityon Development (IGAD), the African Union (AU) and the League of ArabStates (LAS) in addressing the challenges that confront Somalia and tobring about a lasting peace and security in the region./.