Israel announces recognition of Somaliland as 'sovereign state'

Israel on Friday formally recognised Somaliland as an "independent and sovereign state" and signed an agreement to establish diplomatic ties between the two countries, the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.

The president of Somaliland, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, hailed the recognition move, saying it marked the beginning of a "strategic partnership". Netanyahu's office said the prime minister had invited Abdullah to visit Israel.