Secretary General’s Special Representative for Somalia Attends Meeting of International Contact Group

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Stockholm 29 August - The Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Somalia, Francois Lonseny Fall, asked members of the International Contact Group (*) today to consider what additional and better coordinated support the international community might offer to the country’s Transitional Federal Institutions (TFIs).

In the course of the day's discussions, Ambassador Fall noted that the situation in Somalia was volatile and asked that the international community collectively urge the TFIs and the Islamic Courts to demonstrate the political will to enter into a constructive and meaningful dialogue without preconditions. He said the logical follow on to such a commitment would be a complete cessation of hostilities between the parties, paving the way for expanded humanitarian assistance and respect for basic human rights.

(*) Members: Italy, Norway, Sweden, Tanzania, United Kingdom, United States, European Union (Presidency and Commission). Observers: African Union (AU), Intergovernmental Authority for Development (IGAD), League of Arab States, United Nations.

For more information please contact: UN Political Office for Somalia(Nairobi, Kenya) Tel. +254 20 762 21 31 Please visit: www.UN-Somalia.org