NAIROBI, Feb 2: Britain appointed on Thursday its first ambassador to war-torn Somalia for 21 years, Foreign Secretary William Hague said, as he made a landmark visit to the anarchic capital Mogadishu.

“I am delighted to have made the first visit to Mogadishu by a British Foreign Secretary for over 19 years.    This is a sign of Britain’s commitment to the people and country of Somalia,” Hague said in a statement.

“As a further demonstration of our long-term commitment to Somalia, the UK’s new ambassador to Somalia, Matt Baugh has today presented his credentials to (Somali) President Sheikh Sharif.” Hague was one of the highest profile visitors and the most senior British official to the war-torn Somali capital in two decades.

The last British ambassador left Somalia 21 years ago, as the Horn of Africa spiralled into chaos during the 1991 ouster of president Siad Barre.—AFP