AL, European troika supports Somalia

Officials at the Arab League on Wednesday discussed with the European Troika delegation means of coordinating and boosting bilateral efforts to support reconciliation in Somalia as well as to carry out a constructive dialogue that will be conducive to maintaining Somalia peacefully.

This was expressed during the meetings held between the Arab League assistant secretary general for the Arab affairs Ahmad Bin Hali, the director of solidarity administration and settling disputes and Somalia affairs official at the Arab League Samir Hosni to the delegation representing the European Troika. They are the ambassadors of Sweden, Belgium and the European Union in Cairo.

In press statements following the meeting, Bin Hali stressed that the Arab League will work for eliminating all obstacles impeding the making of direct dialogue between the provisional government and the Somali council for reconciliation and qualification, which was carried out by leaders opposing the provisional government during their recent meeting held in Addis Ababa.

Bin Hali asserted the rejection of the Arab states to partition Somalia to separated entities as well as the persistence on Somalia's unity and territorial unity and national sovereignty.

Bin Hali recalled the decision of the recent Arab summit provides for giving a financial aid estimated at USD 450 million to the Somali government to enable it carry out its urgent program on restoring back security and stability through re-merging and investing the militias and restoring back the state's establishments.