SECRETARY-GENERAL STRONGLY DEPLORES OUTBREAK OF FIGHTING IN SOMALIA, DEEPLY

CONCERNED ESCALATION WILL HAVE DISASTROUS IMPACT ON CIVILIANS

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

The Secretary-General strongly deplores the recent outbreak of fighting between the forces of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) near Baidoa.  He is deeply concerned that the escalation of conflict in Somalia will have disastrous consequences for civilians, who are already suffering from the effects of years of instability and deprivation, compounded by the severe flooding that has recently affected parts of the country.  He calls on the TFG and the UIC to cease the hostilities immediately and to resume the peace talks initiated in Khartoum without delay and without any preconditions.  He further calls on the two parties to respect the commitments previously agreed upon at Khartoum.

The Secretary-General expresses his grave concern about the continuous reports of the involvement of foreign forces in the current conflict and he implores all involved to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia.  He urges all the countries of the region to do whatever they can to ensure that the parties return to the peace talks and pursue a negotiated settlement of the crisis.

* *** *

For information media • not an official record