Somali groups reconciled in Cairo

Warring Somali groups on Monday signed a reconciliation agreement at Arab League headquarters in Cairo, including rebuilding the country's institutions which were destroyed by clan fighting.

Somali sources said the National Salvation Conference between the reconciled rival groups will be held in the Somali town of Baidoa on February 15, 1998.

The sources went on to say that a 13-member Presidential council was established representing the four main Somali tribes, each of which, in return, will be represented by three members, with the last member from a minority tribe. A leader from the National Salvation council said: "We are now at the stage of breaking the psychological barriers among the Somalis and we succeeded in that."

The Somali sources continued that there is an agreement between Egypt, Ethiopia, Yemen and Italy to coordinate and consult to ensure the success of the reconciliation.