UN lauds progress in Somalia

The top U.N. official for Somalia said Friday he welcomed the acceptance of a stabilization decree signed by the country's president. Augustine Mahiga, the U.N. secretary-general's special representative and head of the U.N. Political Office for Somalia, praised the National Security and Stabilization Plan as participatory, led and owned by Somalis, in a statement. Somali President Skeik Sharif Sheik Ahmed signed the NSSP decree earlier this week in a ceremony in the capital city, Mogadishu, calling it a historic step and noting "implementation of the NSSP was critical for Somalia." The plan provides immediate priority actions strengthening security and justice institutions in Somalia, with respect given to human rights and rule of law, the statement said.