Nairbi,(insidesomalia.org)-The main priority for Somalia's interim government is to form a new cabinet within 15 days as demanded by east African leaders at crisis talks in Kenya, the Somali prime minister said on Friday.

"Definitely our main priority is the composition of a new cabinet in the time frame stipulated," Somali Prime Minister Nur Hassan Hussein told a news conference in Nairobi.

 Regional leaders said that if fast progress was made, the regional Intergovernmental Authority on Development bloc might consider extending the interim government's mandate, which is set to expire in Aug. 2009.

 "This will depend upon the progress ... to see a national united government including the TFG (Transitional Federal Government) and the opposition," Hussein said.

 "We will have an inclusive parliament. This will bring about the possibility of extending the transition period."

 We know that the problems in Somalia lie with the constitution and this requires political solution. We also welcome the IGAD decisions and we think they will motivate us to end violence by implementing the tasks as directed during the Summit," he said.

The transitional federal charter, which was adopted in 2004, expires next year when a constitution is supposed to be drafted and elections held.

 Although warships from US-led Combined Maritime Force and NATO are patrolling waters off Somalia and the Gulf of Aden, gangs are still attacking commercial freighters in the region.

"Piracy should be eradicated by the involvement of all countries that are willing to help Somalia," Hussein told reporters in Nairobi.

"My country is grateful to all those who have sent warships to Somali waters to fight piracy."

Armed pirates captured a Turkish operated bulk carrier with 20 sailors off the coast of Somalia, Turkish and Kenyan officials said Thursday, as Ankara sought NATO's help to free the vessel.