China, Russia Push Somalia Proposals at UN

China and Russia are asking the United Nations to address the threat of piracy off Somalia's coast, and to push for the defeat of Islamist insurgents who control large parts of both the country and its capital.

China is set to lead a meeting of the UN Security Council Thursday, and wants the 15 member nations to adopt a more comprehensive approach to battling both piracy and al-Shabab militants.

In a draft resolution, China is calling for the Somali government to promote broader political dialogue. It also asks UN members to provide greater support to the 8,000 African Union peacekeepers who have been propping up the government.

Russia has circulated its own draft resolution calling for the UN to create three courts for piracy cases, as well as two prisons for convicted pirates.

Somalia's president says the insurgents are on the edge of defeat, as pro-government forces continue a push against fighters with the al-Shabab movement.

The militants have controlled large parts of Mogadishu and much of Somalia's central and southern regions. They are trying to overthrow the Somali government and set up a strict Islamic state.

China is serving as the rotating Security Council president for the month of March.