Washington, Jumada I 06, 1436, Feb. 25, 2015, SPA -- President Barrack Obama has nominated the first U.S. ambassador to Somalia since the early 1990s, when the United States withdrew its diplomatic staff from the country as it plunged into chaos. The State Department said the nomination of career diplomat Katherine Dhanani signals the deepening relationship between the two countries. "Somalia has considerable work ahead to complete its transition to a peaceful, democratic, and prosperous nation," the department said in a statement late Tuesday. "The United States is committed to supporting Somalia on this journey as a steadfast partner." The U.S. Mission to Somalia currently is based in Nairobi, Kenya. The department said Washington hopes to increase its diplomatic presence in Somalia as security improves. --SPA 22:27 LOCAL TIME 19:27 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w