UN Special Representative holds talks in Somalia with President and Prime Minister

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Nairobi, 29 November 2007: The UN Special Representative for Somalia, Mr Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, traveled to Baidoa today for talks aimed at furthering the peace process.

The visit provided the SRSG with the opportunity to continue his consultations with President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed and to meet the new Prime Minister, Mr Nur Hassan Hussein.

“I discussed with the President and Prime Minister the need to address the crisis in a peaceful manner by involving all Somalis in the future of their country,” said Mr Ould-Abdallah.

“The current situation is a good opportunity for Somalis and all their friends who would like to help to join the UN in its work for peace.”

The SRSG’s trip to Baidoa follows his meetings in Djibouti last week with the Government of Djibouti, IGAD and Somalis from the opposition. After an earlier visit to Mogadishu, this is the second time the SRSG has been to Somalia since taking office in September this year.