New York - The UN Deputy Secretary-General, Jan Eliasson, arrived in Mogadishu this morning on a visit to the Federal Republic of Somalia.

Mr. Eliasson held meetings in Villa Somalia, the seat of the Federal Government, with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Speaker of the Federal Parliament Mohammad Sheikh Osman Jawari and Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon.

Mr. Eliasson is visiting to see for himself the progress made and challenges faced in stabilising Somalia after 22 years of conflict.

“We will be at the side of Somalia at this crucial time," said Mr. Eliasson. “The meetings we have had today I think show the solidarity that flows from many parts of the world towards Somalia.”

“We want to send a message to the Somali people: you are not alone. We are there beside you.”

During his visit the Deputy Secretary-General will also engage with civil society, the diplomatic community and UN staff in the country.

Mr. Eliasson last visited Somalia as Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs in September 1992.

The UN Secretary-General visited in Mogadishu on 9 December 2011.