Hargeysa, Somaliland, November 12, 2005 (SL Times) – Somalia's premier Ali Mohamed Geedi in an ‎interview with the Somali programme of the BBC broadcast Friday (11/11/2005) said that although his ‎government will not be the first one to recognize Somaliland, however it will raise no objections to ‎Somaliland being recognized by the rest of the international community.‎

‎"Somaliland has opted for independence and if it gets [recognition], then we will view this as a Somali ‎people who have obtained [their] right" Mr. Geedi said.‎He further said "If the international community recognizes Somaliland then we will have nothing against ‎that."‎

Mr. Geedi stated that as long as Somaliland remains unrecognized his government will view it as a ‎Somali people with a peaceful territory governed by themselves.

‎"I had in the past congratulated them for restoring stability and the rule of law as well as the on-going ‎reconstruction and development in their country" he said.‎

Pressed why he was evading to answer the question on why he didn't congratulate Somaliland with ‎regard to the elections, Mr. Geedi responded by saying that his government cared about Somaliland's ‎people and administration.‎

‎"A congratulatory message could be even counterproductive and I do not want this to become a recipe ‎for misinterpretations," he said.‎

Mr. Geedi pointed that upon the restoration of stability to Somalia, then Somalia and Somaliland would ‎start talking about the future of their relations.‎