SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES INAUGURATION OF TRANSITIONAL FEDERAL PARLIAMENT FOR SOMALIA

Secretary-General welcomes inauguration of transitional

Federal parliament for Somalia

The following statement was issued on Sunday, 22 August, by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General welcomes the inauguration of the transitional federal parliament for Somalia at the Somalia National Reconciliation Conference (SNRC) which has been taking place in Kenya.  He congratulates all Somalis for this achievement, which has followed almost two years of arduous negotiations under the auspices of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), led by Kenya.

The Secretary-General commends President Mwai Kibaki and the Government of Kenya, other IGAD countries, as well as the international supporters of SNRC for their dedication to peace in Somalia.

The Secretary-General would like to stress that this is the beginning of long-awaited reconciliation.  He expresses the hope that the new parliament will meet its first challenge with the necessary resolve that is required for the election of a President for Somalia and, thereafter, the realization of governance structures for the country.

The Secretary-General expresses the readiness of the United Nations to do its utmost to support the peace process in Somalia.

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