UN Secretary General's Special Representative Addresses Opening of Somali Parliament in Baidoa and Pledges Full Support of the International Community

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Baidoa, Somalia – 26 February 2006: The Secretary-General's Special Representative for Somalia, Francois Lonseny Fall, addressed the opening session of the Somali parliament in Baidoa today and pledged the full support of the international community for the Somali people's efforts to rebuild their nation.

Ambassador Fall praised the courage of Somali leaders to confront their differences and convene the Transitional Federal Parliament for the first time inside the country. “After waiting for so many years, the Somali people have reason to hope that this is the day when they can start to rebuild their nation,” he said.

Ambassador Fall said that the Somali people and the international community expected the nation's leaders to embrace peace and to govern responsibly.

“It hardly needs repeating here today, but the future of your country is in your hands,“ he said. “You have arrived at a crossroad and you have a choice that should be easy to make. It should be the easiest choice that you will ever have to make. It is a choice - either to allow anarchy and chaos to prevail in your country – or to lead the Somali people towards reconciliation and reconstruction, peace and prosperity. The Somali people and the international community expect you to make the right choice.”

Ambassador Fall said the hopes of the nation were riding on the successful outcome of this first ever session of parliament inside Somalia. “I can assure you that the United Nations and the international community will be with you each step of the way, supporting you and encouraging you,” he said. “But you must lead the way.”

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