Forces in Africa: British -American - French initiative

Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa met with the secretary general of the Organization of African Unity, Salem Ahmed Salem, who is currently visiting Cairo.

Moussa said after the meeting that many subjects were discussed that will be presented at the coming African summit in Burkina Faso including the problems in Somalia, the Comoros Islands, the area of the great lakes and the issue of peacekeeping operations in Africa.

Moussa said that peacekeeping forces in Africa are part of a British and US initiative to train forces in African countries to be used in case of conflicts. He said it was agreed with the secretary-general of the Organization of African Unity that the African point of view concerning this case is based on the importance of obtaining approval concerning this resolution from the OAU before spreading these forces.

Salem said many important issues were discussed during his meeting with Moussa topped by the situation in the Middle East, the Lockerbie problem, the crisis in Somalia, and issues that will presented at the coming African summit in addition to international and the regional issues of common concern between Egypt and the OAU.

Concerning the Somali crisis, Salem said it is complicated, "yet we should find a solution to solve it with the aid of Somali leaders, and international efforts are exerted especially from the Egyptian government."

He expressed his hope for reaching a solution soon to those problems and regaining stability and security in Somalia.