Mogadishu, June 22, 2009, 6:40 PM-ET, (SOMINA)- Somalia president has declared state of emergency in his country on Monday during a press conference in Mogadishu.

“We witnessed the situation in the country and the government decided to make change to the situation in Somalia so that we took the option to put the country in state of emergency”, Sharif Sheik Ahmed told reporters.

In a recent meeting, members from the cabinet took the decision and passed a bill asking the state of emergency to the president after heavy clashes engulfed the capital.

“As of today I officially announce the country is in state of emergency and I ask the parliament to endorse the decision promptly”, the president said.

MA-MB-MF