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For Immediate Release
PRESS RELEASE 0016/2008
Special Representative Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah has declared: “I am pleased that the representatives of the international community – the EU, US, Norway, League of Arab States and African Union are meeting today with my office to discuss the mobilization of resources necessary for implementing the Djibouti Agreement signed between the Transitional Federal Government and the Alliance for the Re-Liberation of Somalia on 9 June 2008.”
Indeed it is now up to the international community to play its part in this exercise. The meeting is addressing the implementation of the Agreement and the budget resources required. It is looking at the follow up to the establishment of the Joint Security Committee and the High Level Committee - including its regional and local components and the preparation of the International Conference on Reconstruction and Development. Priority will be given to the funding of immediate and short term activities.
Both the Prime Minister and the leadership of the ARS have attended the meeting, making useful contributions on how best to assist their country in this critical period.
Mr. Ould-Abdallah added “I am overwhelmed by this new, widespread demonstration of goodwill, generosity and support for the Agreement and for Somalia as a whole.”
For its part the UN Security Council is actively seized of issues relating to Paragraph 7 and we count on them, particularly after their successful visit to Djibouti and lively discussions with the TFG and ARS, to come up with a credible, prompt and effective response.
Today what is at stake is not only peace and stability in Somalia but the credibility of the international community in the country and in the region.
Mr. Ould-Abdallah said he was pleased by the traditional generosity and willingness of Saudi Arabia to help Somalia and the region to recover. He said he hoped the formal signing of the Agreement will take place in the Holy City of Mecca by the end of the month.
Susannah Price, Public Information Officer, UN Political Office for Somalia (Nairobi, Kenya) Tel. +254 20 762 1192 (o) or +254 733 902020 (m). www.UN-Somalia.org