United States Department of Defense

Readout of Secretary Hagel's Office Call With Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud

Pentagon Press Secretary George Little provided the following readout:

This afternoon Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel hosted the President of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, senior members of his cabinet, and the Chief of the Somali National Army, Gen. Dahir Elmi.

Secretary Hagel reaffirmed the United States' support to the year-old Federal Government of Somalia and the Somali people. The two leaders discussed how the United States military and the international community could assist in further training for the Somali national security forces.

Secretary Hagel broadly discussed the importance of continued progress on security reform and the importance of a stable and secure Somalia to the region.

Secretary Hagel and President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud expressed their appreciation for both countries' commitment to normalizing and deepening the U.S.-Somali relationship, and agreed to continue efforts on military cooperation.