Puntland President says he will attend Mogadishu conference

**President Abdiweli Mohamed Ali speaking to reporters in Garowe. [Photo Credit: Presidency Press Office]**

Garowe-(Puntland Mirror) Puntland President Abdiweli Mohamed Ali will attend a conference between the central government and the regional states, which will take place in Mogadishu next week, he said in press conference in Garowe on Tuesday.

“The President of the federal government of Somalia has sent an invitation to us to arrive in Mogadishu on 28th October 2017. On behalf of the regional states of Somalia, I would like to say that I have accepted the invitation to attend the conference,” President Abdiweli said.

There has been growing tension between the central government and the regional states since most of the states sided with Saudi Arabia-led coalition against Qatar, while central government said it has taken a neutral stand on the Gulf row.