Security needed for political progress

MOGADISHU, Somalia, March 21 (UPI) -- The top official from the U.N. envoy to Somalia says the new reconciliation strategy can only succeed if there is complimentary action to ensure security.

Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, the secretary-general's special representative to Somalia addressing the U.N. Security Council, called for an increased mandate for security to avoid continued violence in the country. Officials say the transitional government's reconciliation strategy has begun to gather support; however, more security is needed for any political success to move forward, the United Nations reported.

"As the two tracks should advance together and reinforce each other, there is a need for similar action on the security front," Ould-Abdallah said in a statement. "Acting only on one of them is like limping on one leg."

Ould-Abdallah called on the Security Council to deploy more international staff to Somalia and increase its security presence to handle the complex and volatile situation on the ground. Recent U.N. reports estimate up to 2 million people are in need of humanitarian aid in Somalia, at a time when banditry and other threats have greatly impeded delivery of crucial items.