By Mohamed Abdi Farah

Mogadishu, May 19, 2007 - A high level delegation headed by the deputy Italian foreign minister has on Saturday arrived in the Somalia capital Mogadishu and held talks with top government officials over the coming national reconciliation process.

Patricia Santaneli along with ten Italian government members landed at the main airport of Mogadishu this morning around 9:30am local time where they received a warm welcome from officials of the interim government.

The new Italian envoy to Somalia Istevano Dijak was among the delegates led by Santaneli amid tightened security as heavily armed troops were deployed all roads to the presidential palace where the Italian delegates were welcomed.

During her one day visit in Mogadishu, the Italian deputy foreign minister held separate talks with Somalia’s interim president Abdulahi Yusuf Ahmed, Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Gedi, parliament speaker Sheik Madobe and the committee of the reconciliation meeting.

“Our mission to Mogadishu is to encourage the process of the reconciliation conference that is due to be held in Mogadishu next June,” said Sentaneli while talking to the reporters at the presidential palace.

She said she had discussed with the government officials over how the Italian government would help the peace efforts by the interim government and succeed the reconciliation meeting.

“I have told president Yusuf and Premier Ali Gedi that my government is committed to help Somalia to overcome its crisis and will contribute the fund allotted for the inclusive meeting,” added Santaneli.

If the reconciliation meeting succeeds she said the Italian government will support the next meeting on the Somalia rebuilding. She also met with the civil society officials in the capital.

Sentaneli is the first high rank Italian official who visited Somalia since the ouster of the Islamic Courts Union late December last year.

The government top officials welcomed the visit which has been seen as a sign of Italy's readiness to push the peace process in Somalia.

Source: SomaliNet

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