Xinhua
Thursday, June 22, 2006
The Somali interim government and the powerful Islamic Courts Union (ICU) signed in Khartoum on Thursday a statement on halting military and media hostilities and recognizing each other.
“The two sides agree to recognize the legitimacy of the Somali Transitional Government and the existence of the ICU,” the statement said.
They also agreed to continue dialogue and talks without preconditions and within the framework of mutual recognition and to bring war criminals to trial.
The statement said that after intensive talks conducted by the Arab League (AL) Committee on Somalia, the two sides agreed to achieve a settlement that will preserve Somalia’s unity and territorial integrity and help the Somali people rebuild state institutions and launch a reconstruction drive.
The two sides also agreed to launch a joint appeal that dialogue on pending security, political and other issues would be placed in the agenda of the next round of talks due in Khartoum on July 15.
The AL Committee on Somalia, meanwhile, urged the international community to provide quick assistance to the Somali people, saying that Arab countries will effectively contribute to Somalia’s reconstruction process and provide urgent humanitarian assistance.
Attended by Somali President Abdalla Yussuf, Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Gedi and parliament head Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden, the Somali reconciliation meeting was held in the Sudanese capital under the auspices of the Arab League.
Foreign ministers and representatives of Sudan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and seven other Arab countries, which make up of the AL Committee on Somalia, took part in the meeting.
Source: Xinhua, June 22, 2006
