Eyl, Somalia — Italian Ambassador to Somalia Andrea Mazzella accompanied by his deputy visited the historic coastal city of Eyl, Radio Garowe reports.

Italian Ambassador to Somalia Andrea Mazzella with his deputy Giuseppe Caposeno Photo (Garowe Online)

Amb. Mazzella accompanied by his deputy ambassador Giuseppe Caposeno Torres visited the former pirate hub Eyl, located 155 kilometers east of Garowe.

Amb. Mazzella spent two days in Eyl and met with district authorities, community leaders and civil society groups in Eyl. In the meetings the ambassador discussed improving the quality of health and education in the coastal city.

View of Eyl District 155 kilometers east of Garowe Photo (Garowe Online)

Eyl a historic coastal town once used as a fortified village nearly 100 years ago for revolutionary Sayid Mohamed Abdulle Hassan fell into the hands of pirates but they were forced out by residents and local authorities in Eyl late last year.

The ambassador visited the general hospital in Eyl, district headquarters and remnants of old buildings built in the colonial period by the Italians.

Andrea Mazzella meets with local Community in Eyl Photo (Garowe Online)

Amb. Mazzella praised Eyl residents for ridding the town of pirates and the ambassador indicated that there would be support from the Italian government for development projects to be carried out in Eyl in the near future.

Amb. Mazzella was appointed ambassador to Somalia in November 2011 under Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti's incumbency and since, is the first foreign ambassador to Somalia to visit the former pirate hub Eyl.