Voice of America
Tuesday, February 07, 2012
A senior British diplomat has reiterated Britain's commitment to
Somalia's transitional government and to bringing an end to the African
country's decades of instability.
Henry Bellingham, the British Minister for African Affairs, told
VOA's Somali Service the time is right for the international community
to join in the effort to bring peace and stability to the Horn of Africa
country. The interview with the service was conducted Monday as
preparations take place for an international conference on Somalia,
being held in London February 23.
The conference is bringing together representatives of some 40
nations and international organizations. It will focus on the
establishment of a permanent Somali government after the transitional
period ends in August.
The minister, in the interview, ruled out the possibility of British
military intervention in Somalia. He spoke of the “significant
progress” made by the transitional government which now controls nearly
all of Mogadishu, the capital.
Underscoring Britain's commitment to Somalia, Foreign Minister
William Hague visited Somalia last week, as London announced it is
sending an ambassador to Mogadishu for the first time in more than two
decades.