Somalia's transitional government-in-exile met Tuesday to try to bridge deep divisions over plans to relocate to the war-shattered nation.

A group of Somali ministers walked out of a meeting Monday, before a majority voted to return to Somalia but not to the capital, Mogadishu, which the prime minister says is too dangerous.

The ministers voted instead to relocate to the central towns of Baidoa and Jowhar until security improves in the capital.

The Somali government currently operates out of Nairobi, Kenya.

Lawmakers are also bitterly divided over plans to deploy a peacekeeping force to provide security once the government returns to Somalia.

The regional bloc - IGAD - has decided to initially exclude troops from nations bordering Somalia. Opponents of the force say border nations have backed violent factions during years of civil war.

Some information for this report provided by AFP.