Britain Opens Embassy in Somalia

{{Britain opened an embassy on Thursday in a set of four metal cabins at Mogadishu airport.}}

It was the first such move by a Western power since Somalia began to emerge from more than two decades of conflict.

Turkey and Iran are among others vying for influence in the Horn of Africa country, with growing commercial ties and diplomatic missions already up and running.

“It is a symbol of our confidence and belief in the future of Somalia,” said British Foreign Secretary William Hague, who flew in on an unannounced visit to watch the Union Jack flag hoisted above the cabins, generator and satellite dish within the airport perimeter fence.

“This is a sign of where Somalia is now heading to,” said Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

“Somalia is going back to the international arena,” he added, expressing hope that other Western states would follow suit.

The country is enjoying a delicate recovery but remains heavily dependent on others for its security.

An African Union military offensive has driven weakened al Shabaab insurgents from bases in Mogadishu and other cities, and piracy in the strategic sea lanes off Somalia is at an all-time low, thanks largely to a heavy foreign naval presence.

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