International conference to discuss situation in Somalia

Ambassador Ahmed Bin Holi, the assistant secretary-general for Arab affairs at the Arab League, said that "a conference will be held in New York at United Nations headquarters on June 16 -- the first of its sort in which the United Nations, the Arab League, the Organization of African Unity, the Organization of the Islamic Conference and other government organizations will participate in presenting humanitarian aid to Somalia.

In statements to ArabicNews.com, Ahmed Ben Holi said, "The meeting will discuss finding a mechanism for international and regional coordination to achieve the complete reconciliation in Somalia and to support stability and reconstruction operations."

He said that the Arab League will participate in the conference through the head of its mission in New York, ambassador Hussein Hasounah, to form a permanent technical trusteeship for this mechanism that follows developments in the Somali arena step by step.

Ben Holi expressed his sadness over the resumption of fighting in Somalia, stating that this constitutes a dangerous escalation of the situation.