By Somalilandtimes network

BRUSSELS, March 28 (Reuters) - The European Commission signed a pact giving political recognition to Somalia's interim government on Tuesday and pledged more aid to the war-weary Horn of Africa nation, hit by fresh violence in recent days.

The signing of a "memorandum of understanding" with Somali leaders is an attempt by the European Union executive to encourage EU states and others to recognize the government after last month's opening of an interim parliament on home soil.

"I gave assurances of moral, political and material support," European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said after the signing of the memorandum with Somali President Abdillahi Yusuf Ahmed and Prime Minister Mohamed Ali Gedi.

Barroso said the Commission would next month urge EU states to release a further 70 million euros ($84 million) in assistance to Somalia on top of the 200 million euros it has already granted, mainly through United Nations agencies.

"This is a historic event which marked Somalia's aspirations to the community of nations after 15 years of civil strife," Gedi told a joint news conference with Barroso.

EU Development Commissioner Louis Michel said the pact would make it easier for the EU to channel aid to Somalia, adding he would visit the country in May to study potential aid projects. Somalia's new parliament opened in February in the southern city of Baidoa, the 14th attempt to restore government since warlords ousted dictator Mohamed Siyad Barre in 1991.

The capital Mogadishu saw its fiercest fighting for years in recent days as militiamen linked to Islamic courts battled with the city's most powerful warlords. Militia leaders said on Monday a ceasefire was in place after four days of fighting claimed between 70 and 90 lives. Gedi called for calm but added: "Still it is not quiet so anything can happen."

Source: Reuters, Mar 28, 2006

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