Somalia asks world to help stabilize ravaged nation

Somalia's president on Ma 11 urged world powers to help him fight the "raging enemies" of terror, corruption and poverty, at an international conference aimed at stabilizing the crisis-wracked country under his new leadership.

Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed told the London gathering that the conflict-ravaged state could thrive on the Somali natural flair for commerce if it can hold off the threats of famine, piracy and Islamic extremism.

The one-day conference, attended by world leaders, is looking to strike a new agreement between Somalia and its international support network to speed up progress on security, development and the economy by 2020.

The troubled east African country, which has frequently topped the Fragile State Index, is under a new president, prime minister and parliament this year and the conference is focused on underpinning stability in this electoral cycle.

"I will spare no effort to realize the promise of my campaign which was to fight Somalia's three raging enemies: Terrorism, corruption and poverty," the president, widely known by his nickname Farmajo, told the conference.

"I will take measurable steps to unleash the great potential of my people to develop their own country and to do what they know best: Trade and commerce."

The conference -- focused on national security, political infrastructure, economic recovery and combating drought -- is being co-chaired by Farmajo, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and British Prime Minister Theresa May.

Guterres said the drought was Somalia's "most pressing priority" and appealed for an additional $900 million by the end of the year to prevent it worsening into a famine.

"Somalia has to rebuild security, foster...