Secretary-General Hails Somalia’s Important Step as Ministers Take Oath of Office

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General welcomes the swearing-in today of the Council of Ministers proposed by Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon and endorsed by the Somali Federal Parliament.  This marks another important step in the determined efforts by Somalia’s new leadership to bring about a positive change in Somalia.

The Secretary-General and his Special Representative in Somalia, Augustine P. Mahiga, look forward to working with President Hassan Sheikh and his Government to implement the six-pillar policy that will guide the country to democratic elections in the course of the next four years.

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For information media • not an official record