SECRETARY-GENERAL ENCOURAGES SOMALI LEADERS TO SWIFTLY CONCLUDE NATIONAL RECONCILIATION CONFERENCE WITH ESTABLISHMENT OF INCLUSIVE GOVERNMENT

SECRETARY-GENERAL ENCOURAGES SOMALI LEADERS TO SWIFTLY CONCLUDE NATIONAL

RECONCILIATION CONFERENCE WITH ESTABLISHMENT OF INCLUSIVE GOVERNMENT

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General welcomed the agreement of Somali leaders on a transitional charter signed in Nairobi on 29 January.  He encourages Somali leaders to build on the progress achieved and swiftly conclude the Somali National Reconciliation Conference with the establishment of an inclusive government.

The Secretary-General warmly commends President Mwai Kibaki of Kenya, President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, other leaders of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and international supporters of the Somali National Reconciliation Conference for their perseverance to help Somalis reach national reconciliation.

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