Sentinelli, leading a high-level delegation, has met Somalia president Abdulahi Yusuf Ahmed who only returned from Uganda last Thursday.

Speaking with journalists at Mogadishu international airstrip, the minister said her country was determined to assist the war-ravaged African country to establish peace and reconciliation.

The new Italian envoy to Somalia, Stephen Dijack was one of the delegates, to meet the president, parliament speaker, Aden Madobe and premier Gedi.

She has indicated that Italy will play roles in partially funding the African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia whose affective central government collapsed in 1991 when warlords toppled dictator Siad Barre.

“My trip to Somalia was mainly based on encouraging the government to establish reconciliation among Somalis, and my country will help Somalia transitional government to restore law and order in the country,” she said.

Abdi Haji Goobdoon, government spokesman, told journalists after the closed door meeting by Somali senior officials and Italian assistant foreign affairs minister along with her delegation that the Somali government agreed to allow any one who can be part of the solution to attend upcoming national reconciliation conference.

Ali Mhadi Mohammed, former Somalia president, who was nominated as the chairman of the national reconciliation conference, has also met with Sentinelli.

The former leader said the number of Somalis attending the conference will be reduced due to lack of sufficient funding.