Mogadishu — Somalia's Cabinet ministers discussed the worsening security situation of Mogadishu and salaries for the government's military and security branches during their weekly Cabinet meeting on Thursday, Garowe Online reports.

Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon presided over the meeting and the Federal cabinet ministers went on to debate the country's most pressing issues with the security agenda at the forefront.

Speaking to the media afterwards, Somali Prime Minister's spokesman Ridwan Haji Abdiweli said the Cabinet listened reports relating to Mogadishu's volatile security situation and their respective stabilization plans from the interior and the defense ministers.

"Following in-depth discussions, the Cabinet ministers agreed on the payment of salaries for the government forces including police, the intelligence and custodian corps and they intended to be given $160 to each and every soldier," said Mr. Ridwan, adding: "They also discussed about allegations in the new report of the UN Monitoring Group on Somalia and Eritrea with Central Bank director present."

Federal Parliament summons Interior Minister

Somali Federal Members of Parliament summoned Internal Affairs and National Security Minister Abdikarin Hussein Guled as looming threat of instability is emerging from Lower Shabelle region and Mogadishu.

Independent sources in Mogadishu told Garowe Online that 15 MPs put forward the motion and it is expected that Minister Guled will come to parliament on Sunday for deliberations.

Sources added that the MPs attached six undisclosed questions with their motion.

"The reasons behind for his summoning are clear, for instance nowadays, there has been escalating violence in Lower Shabelle region and the Somali government forces reportedly sided with one of the opposing sides. Beyond this Mogadishu security situation remains poor," said one of the MPs speaking to Mogadishu media.

Interior Minister Guled was called by federal parliament after Al Qaeda-linked Al Shabaab militants claimed to have carried out 180 violent attacks, including military-style ambushes, bombings, and targeted assassinations.