Nairobi, Kenya, May 13, 2006 – Somalia, Paraguay and Qatar have been admitted to the Inter-Parliamentary Union which ended its 114th Assembly in Nairobi yesterday.

IPU secretary-general Anders Johnsson, executive committee vice-president Margareth Mensah-Williams and National Assembly Speaker Francis Ole Kaparo announced the three admissions, bringing IPU membership to 147.

They said Somalia, a former IPU member had been removed following 15 years of civil war, making the country operate without a parliament. Its application was been accepted following formation a transitional government.

Paraguay had been shut out from the global body for three years after failing to pay subscription fees, while Qatar is joining IPU for the first time.

Mr. Johnsson announced that, he together with IPU President Ferdinando Casini, would visit Somalia soon to see how its parliament could be assisted.

Mr. Kaparo said Speakers from seven countries would also visit Somalia to find ways to promote unity among MPs from Inter-Governmental Authority on Development member states.

"Delegates from Igad member countries will all visit Somalia to give support and recognition to the Federal Transitional Parliament," Mr. Kaparo, who was accompanied by assistant minister Beth Mugo.

Separately, Somali MP Ahmed Ashareh said MPs from Igad member countries except Djibouti and Eritrea had been invited for the meeting in Baidoa from June 10 to July 2.

Agreed to attend

The meeting would bring together MPs and Speakers from Igad countries to discuss issues affecting the countries and how they can join hands in solving them, said Mr. Ashareh, who is also chairman of Somalia parliamentary information, culture and heritage committee said.

Mr. Ashareh and Mr. Kaparo said Speakers and MPs from Kenya, Sudan, Ethiopia, Uganda and Somalia taking part in the Nairobi assembly met at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre on Wednesday and agreed to attend the meeting. Although Eritrea and Djibouti were not represented their delegates had been invited.

Source: Daily Nation,

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