Italy pledges 400,000 US dollars toward peace effort

Mogadishu, 29 July 2007 - A high-level international delegation led by United Nations deputy special envoy for Somalia Mr. Per Lindgarde arrived in the Somalia capital Mogadishu for a one day visit showing their support to the continuation of the reconciliation congress in the city which entered its 13th day.

The delegation landed at the Aden Adde airport in Mogadishu around 11:00am local time today and attended the peace conference. The visit was to show how the international community is determined to support the current meeting for reconciling rival Somali clans.

The delegation consisting of five members from Norway, Italy, Egypt, Yemen and UN, said they could not attend the previous sessions because of security concerns over the Somali airwaves.

“Somalis are known to sit and agree, disagree but at last come up with compromise solution with lasting effects,” said Lindgarde adding that “all Somali stakeholders should be invited to attend the reconciliation congress,”

The new Italian ambassador to Somalia Mario di Stefano said his government will extend 400,000 US dollars to the reconciliation meeting to show that his government is determined to see Somalia back to its former glory.

“The Italian government is committed to support the peace process held in Somalia soil for the first time,” said the ambassador.

The security was tightened as heavily armed troops were deployed all roads in and out of the airport.

The visit of the international delegates in Mogadishu came when the country’s president and his prime minister are away from the capital.

Source: SomaliNet

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