Somalia will look to restore ties with former colonial master Italy as donors continue to pledge support for the recovering country.

New President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud Tuesday held closed door talks with visiting Italian Foreign Affairs minister Giulio Terzi after which they said the meeting symbolised the restoration of once close links.

Mr Terzi also delivered a letter of congratulations from Italian President Giorgio Napolitano.

The Somali leader stated that he and Mr Terzi had discussed how to increase relations between the two countries.

“This meeting symbolises the resumption of the close links Somalia had with Italy,” said President Mohamoud.

Mr Terzi, the first Italian Foreign Minister to visit Somalia since 1992, pledged his country’s support for the recovering nation.

“Italy fully supports the Federal State of Somalia” said Minister Terzi.

“It backed the final draft of the new constitution (that lifted Somalia from transition to a permanent government),” he said, adding that the new law was respectful of fundamental rights.

President Mohamoud later held talks with representatives from the donor communities and countries interested in Somalia.

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