Somalia wants to terminate the UN political mission assisting peace efforts in the country

By EDITH M. LEDERER
Associated Press

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Somalia is asking the United Nations to terminate its political mission in the country, which has been assisting the government to bring peace and stability in the face of attacks by the al-Qaida-linked extremist group al-Shabab. In a letter to the Security Council and Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Somali Foreign Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi says the decision followed “a thorough consideration of our strategic priorities.” The current mandate of the mission expires Oct. 31 and Fiqi asks for “the swift conclusion of the necessary procedures for the termination of the mission by the end of the mandate.” The U.N. mission has worked closely with African Union peacekeepers who are expected to hand over security to Somali forces at the end of the year.