Somali president Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed on Thursday reiterated his government readiness to engage the powerful insurgents in dialogue to end the escalating conflict in the war-torn country

Ahmed urged the two main groups, Al-Shabaab and Hizbul Islam to respect and adhere the teaching of Islam which calls for peace and tranquility.

"I am urging Al-Shabaab and Hizbul Islam to take peace instead of war because that was Islam stands for," he told reporters in Mogadishu,

"The population is tired of war and anarchy. Lets put our differences aside and work towards peace for the seek our people," he plead.

He called on the armed groups to allow aid agencies provide humanitarian assistance to millions of people faced with starvation.

"The aid agencies like WFP must be allowed to continue with the humanitarian assistance they provide to the destitute civilians," he said in reference to recent Al-Shabaab on WFP food aid distribution in the country.

Somali president also urged Diaspora to assist their fellow patriots who are languishing in camps after aid agencies were ordered out of the country by insurgents.

Commenting about the rampant piracy in waters offshore Somalia, Ahmed requested Somali public to take part in the anti-piracy sensitization efforts and make sure youngsters are not drawn into the illegal lucrative business.

He urged Somali pirates to release all the ships held against their will.

The Somali President also commented about the recent agreement his fragile government reached with armed Islamist militia Ahlu Sunnah Wal Jamaa, terming it progress towards peace and reconciliation.