MOGADISHU (SD)-Villa Somalia has denied a report published yesterday by the Reuters news agency which claimed that the Federal Government wants to delay the withdrawal plan of ATMIS forces.

Reuters reported that the Somali government sent a letter last month to the Acting Chairperson of the African Union Peace and Security Council, requesting to delay until September the withdrawal of half of the 4,000 soldiers scheduled to leave the country by the end of June.

The National Security Advisor to the President of Somalia, Hussein Macallin, described the report as incorrect, stating that any adjustment to the withdrawal schedule of the peacekeeping forces is technical, dismissing concerns that the plan is related to fears about Al-Shabaab.

On Thursday afternoon, the Peace and Security Council is expected to meet to discuss the issues concerning Somalia, including the reduction and follow-up of the mission.

Uganda and Kenya, which have contributed troops to the mission, have also expressed concerns.