Somalia appeals to AU for troops

MOGADISHU, Somalia, Oct. 24 (UPI) -- Somalia's newly elected President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed has asked the African Union to send 20,000 peacekeepers to help secure the country and disarm militias.

Abdullahi made the request at a meeting in Ethiopia with AU Commission Chairman Alpha Oumar Konare, the BBC reported Sunday. He also appealed for aid last week at his swearing-in ceremony.

Abdullahi was expected to discuss Monday a possible mission with the AU's Peace and Security Council.

"The president has formally asked the AU for a 20,000-strong peacekeeping force to help in collecting millions of small arms known to be owned by the Somali people," AU spokesman Adam Thiam said.