UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Kenya's deputy prime minister is calling the entry of Kenyan forces into the Somali port that was the last stronghold of the Islamic militant group al-Shabab "a significant victory."

Musalia Mudavadi said in an interview Friday on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly that a takeover of Kismayo will cut the lifeline of the extremist insurgent group, which has used the port to get ammunition.

"This is a major blow to them and we think it's positive for the region and for Somalia," he said.

He said routing al-Shabab is going to be very important in securing peace in Somalia which has a fledgling new government after years as a failed state.

Mudavadi said he had received a message that "they have taken Kismayo" but he had no details.