The transitional government of Somalia vowed on Wednesday to push forward efforts aimed at stabilizing the situation in the capital of Mogadishu after deadly clashes killed hundreds of people.

Addressing a news conference in Nairobi, Somali Ambassador to Kenya Mohammed Ali Nur said elaborate measures have been put in place to strengthen security after the recent unrest, which aid agencies have described as the worst in Mogadishu in 15 years.

"I would like to reaffirm the transitional government's stand to put in place measures to strengthen security in Mogadishu after the recent clashes which rocked the city," Nur told journalists in Nairobi.

"The transitional government has already ordered the militias and the remnants of the Islamists to vacate government buildings with immediate effect which are believed to be used by them as

hideouts for attacks to African Union troops and government forces, " Nur said.

He said Prime Minister Ali Mohammed Gedi fled to Mogadishu on early Wednesday in bid to meet with representatives of Hawiye clan and various leaders, including members of the cabinet in a bid to restore normalcy in the city.

"The TFG is reaching out to the clans and sub clans elders in a bid to restore peace at the grassroots' level. The prime minister left this morning for Mogadishu to meet with various clans and cabinet ministers to restore peace ahead of national reconciliation conference," Nur said.

"I believe by creating a conducive atmosphere at the community level, there is great hope to achieve the much needed peace in Mogadishu and overall Somalia," the ambassador noted.

Nur's comments came as representatives of Somalia's Hawiye clan and Ethiopian army agreed to cooperate and implement a recent ceasefire inked on Sunday to end fighting in the bullet-riddled Mogadishu.

A committee of 15 members recently appointed by Hawiye sub clans and the Ethiopian army officers have agreed on strengthening the recent truce to allow bodies to be removed and returning for more talks on Thursday.

Source: Xinhua