Addis Ababa, December 4, 2007 - Pastoralists attending a meeting in Hudet of Liban zone in the Somali region said they have decided to make the region's peace their priority.

Around 500 Participants representing all the ethnic groups of Ethiopia's Somali National Regional State have converged to discuss on issues surrounding peace, security and economic and social issues of the pastoralist community in the region.

The meeting kicked of on Friday with opening prayers, before it was officially opened by eight traditional leaders and the Liban zonal administrator.

Clan leaders and elders from all 9 zones of Somali Region, and others from Afar and Oromiya, officials from all levels of government, members of parliament, pastoralist representatives from Kenya and Somaliland, as well as a number of NGOs and international organizations will sit for five days in a bid to resolve a range of pressing issues affecting Somali region's pastoralists.

Addressing the sultans hosting the gathering, Elder Mohamed Ibrahim of Kebridehar said 'today, we are in your area and all pastoralists are under your shade. We are very happy to be here'. Mohamed Liban from Jijiga added 'we have traveled all this way to discuss something very important and that is peace.' Women from all parts of the region insisted that peace be addressed seriously during the deliberations.

Source: The Daily Monitor ( Ethiopia)