UPDATE - Turkish president receives his Somali counterpart in Istanbul

UPDATES WITH MORE DETAILS

By Merve Berker

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan received his Somali counterpart Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who is visiting Türkiye upon an invitation, diplomatic sources said on Tuesday.

Erdogan welcomed Mohamud with an official ceremony at the Presidential Dolmabahce Office in Istanbul, according to the sources.

Following the ceremony, the two leaders held a one-on-one meeting. No further details were shared regarding the meeting.

After their one-on-one discussion, Erdogan and Mohamud chaired an inter-delegation meeting between the two countries at the same venue.

Erdogan was accompanied by several top Turkish officials, including Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar, National Defense Minister Yasar Guler, and Industry and Technology Minister Mehmet Fatih Kacir.

Also present were National Intelligence Organization (MIT) Director Ibrahim Kalin, Communications Director Burhanettin Duran, Chief Foreign Policy and Security Adviser Akif Cagatay Kilic, Defense Industries President Haluk Gorgun, and AK Party Deputy Chair and Spokesperson Omer Celik.