The UN said 126 former Al-Shabab combatants had completed the rehabilitation programme and were ready for reintegration.

The former combatants graduated from the Baidoa Rehabilitation Centre in Somalia's South West State on Friday after completing an intensive rehabilitation programme, Xinhua news agency reported.

Aden Hussein, national project officer in charge of disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration programme at the International Organization for Migration (IOM), said the rehabilitation programme would encourage more Al-Shabab militants to lay down arms and contribute to the peace process.

The ex-combatants undertook various vocational training, including masonry, tailoring and welding, Hussein said, according to a statement issued by the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM).

Urging more support for the programme, he said Al-Shabab could not only be contained using arms, but also through training and reintegration of ex-combatants.

The UNSOM, the IOM and other development partners have supported the establishment of similar rehabilitation and transition centres in Mogadishu, Beletweyne and Kismayo, the report said. IANS