UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday expressed grave concern over the outbreak of violence in the Somali capital of Mogadishu, and called on all parties to exercise restraint and calm, said his deputy spokesman.

The secretary-general urged the federal government of Somalia and federal member states leaders to urgently come together and finalize a political agreement on the way forward for national elections, said Farhan Haq, the deputy spokesman, in a statement.

Guterres also called for the full respect of the rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression. He reiterated the full support of the United Nations to the people and government of Somalia on their path toward peace, stability and prosperity, said the statement.

Sporadic gunfire and rockets erupted in the streets of Mogadishu on Friday as security forces clashed with opposition supporters protesting against delayed national elections. Enditem

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