Khartoum, 2 September, 2006 - Statement of the UN Special Representative, Amb. Francois Lonseny Fall.

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Mr. Chairman,

1. We are very pleased to be here with you on this important occasion.

2. We want to thank the government of Sudan for hosting this second round of talks between the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia and the Union of Islamic Courts, and I want to commend the League of Arab States for all its efforts to organize this meeting.

3. We thank both the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia and the Union of Islamic Courts for attending these talks. Their presence here is greatly appreciated by the United Nations and the international community.

4. We are hopeful that both parties will use this opportunity to enter into a meaningful and constructive dialogue that will begin to address some of the key issues before them. We believe that resolving problems through mutual consultation and dialogue is the best way forward at this point in time. Consultation and dialogue is not new to you, my Somali brothers. It is an important part of your traditions; it is the very essence of your culture; and it is also in accordance with the values of Islam. This is how you have solved your problems peacefully for centuries. This is how you must overcome the challenges that confront you now.

5. Somalia has been in turmoil for far too long and you now have the historic opportunity to lead it away from a path of confrontation and conflict towards a path of reconciliation, unity and peace.

6. The United Nations urges you to build your deliberation on the outcome of the first round of Khartoum Talks of 22 June, 2006 which offered a sound basis of continued and structured talks to resolve your differences peacefully. In this regards, all the parties should avoid any action that can jeopardize the efforts of restoration of peace and reconciliation in Somalia.

7. We welcome the five-point agenda presented to the conference today and encourage you to seize this opportunity to establish a joint mechanism for monitoring, verification and implementation of agreed conclusions and to move further to achieve lasting solutions to the Somali crisis.

8. We strongly encourage you, my Somali brothers present here, to make full use of these talks to work together closely and earnestly to overcome your differences for the sake of your children, your people, and your country. In this endeavor, you have our support, our prayers, and our good wishes. May the Almighty guide you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.