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Somalia

UN Special Representative appeals for unity among Somali leaders

PRESS RELEASE 0029/2008

Nairobi, 17 November 2008 - The UN Special Representative for Somalia, Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, has appealed to all of Somalia's leading figures to put aside their differences and unite their efforts in the interests of their people and their country.

"I appeal to all Somalis within the Government, the opposition, the Diaspora, the business community and other interested parties, especially as we are coming close to Eid ul Adha, to think of their country's dignity and its future and end their disagreements," he said.

He stated that the Transitional Federal Government should agree on a new cabinet quickly because a continuing power struggle did not serve Somalia's interests, particularly as there was now an agreement to establish a broad-based unity government.

"Somalia has made significant progress recently with the Djibouti Agreement, the agreements on a ceasefire and an enlarged parliament and the IGAD summit," he said. "I believe that the unanimous support of the international community to stability and reconciliation in Somalia is now bearing fruit.

"After so many years of war and suffering it is vital to keep moving forward and not to allow personal interests, sensitivities or misunderstandings to get in the way of the continuing peace process."

For more information please contact: Susannah Price, Public Information Officer, UN Political Office for Somalia (Nairobi, Kenya) Tel. +254 20 762 1192 (o) or +254 733 902020 (m). Please visit: www.UN-Somalia.org