Urgent Arab League meeting to discuss Somali crisis

The permanent deputies of the Arab League (A.L.) will hold an urgent meeting on Tuesday, headed by the A.L. Secretary General Esmat Abdul Meguid to discuss the recent developments of the Palestinian and Somali issues and the financial crisis confronting the Bidaeoa conference later this month.

The assistant secretary-general for Somali affairs, ambassador Ahmed Bin Hali said that the Somali reconciliation clashes with the Somali tribalism bloc, in addition to the absence of comprehensive coordination from the international, regional efforts and the absence of comprehensive coordination from the international, regional efforts and the absence of the necessary fund for holding the Bidaeoa reconciliation conference.

He added that the Arab League received the approval of the UN's secretary general and the Organization of the Islamic Conference for Abdul Meguid's plan to establish a mechanism to coordinate reconciliation efforts in Somalia and to help the Somalis reach peace and security.

Then Ahmed Ben Hali said the head of the so-called Somaliland Republic, Ibrahim Ocal, sent a message to Abdul Meguid in which Ocal welcomed the participation of the mechanism and expressed readiness to solve the crisis. Ocal confirmed that nothing will remain except to agree on the structure of this mechanism, saying, "We believe that this mechanism can remove any sensitivity concerning any regional or international initiative for reconciliation."

Ocal also said the conference will be held in Rome on Monday, in which the Arab League, the IGAD organization, the European Union, Egypt and regional and international organizations that provide humanitarian and financial support in Somalia will participate.

At the end Ocal said the Arab League is following up on the battles renewed in Somalia, and he urged all parties to maintain security and peace.