The U.N. Security Council has agreed to lift a decades-old arms embargo on Somalia's government for one year, allowing the country to buy light weapons in a bid to strengthen its security forces to combat al Qaeda-linked Islamist fighters.

The resolution, unanimously adopted by the 15-member council, leaves in place a ban on surface-to-air missiles, larger-calibre guns, howitzers, cannons and mortars, anti-tank guided weapons, mines and night vision weapon sights.

Reuters