U.N. calls on Somalia to pull together

MOGADISHU, Somalia, Aug. 4 (UPI) -- The ongoing violence in Somalia has prompted the United Nations to call on people in the country to persevere and continue moving toward peace.

Despite a peace deal reached in June, violence continues in Somalia. Sunday a bomb exploded in the Somali capital of Mogadishu, killing as many as 20 people.

Adding to the violence, the United Nations says political leadership in the country remains embroiled in controversy. As many as two-thirds of the government ministers in Somalia have resigned, and Mogadishu's mayor was recently removed from office, the United Nations reported.

U.N. Special Representative Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah says the ongoing turmoil in Somalia threatens the already fragile situation. Ould-Abdallah called on the people of Somalia to pull together and continue working for peace.

"The Somali people knew there would be challenges on the path to peace, and they should not be discouraged," Ould-Abdallah said in a statement.

"I call on the Somali people to remain united and solve their political problems."