U.N. "deeply concerned" by Somalia clashes

The Mogadishu clashes come amid political uncertainty in Somalia following the lapse of President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo term last Monday. /VCG

The United Nations said it is "deeply concerned" by the clashes that rocked Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, overnight and on Friday morning between opposition and security forces.

In a message published on Twitter, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia called for "calm and restraint by all parties involved, and urges that open lines of communication be maintained to help reduce tensions."

"The UN in Somalia notes that the clashes in Mogadishu underscore the urgent need for Federal Government and Federal Member State leaders to come together to reach political agreement on the implementation of the 17 September electoral model," the message read.

The clashes come amid political uncertainty in the Horn of African country following the lapse of President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo term last Monday.

Talks aimed at deliberating a solution to the situation were scheduled to take place on 15 February but did not happen. Opposition groups now say they do not recognize Farmajo's leadership.