Somali gov't rejects UN election effort

2011-04-14 19:52

Nairobi - Somalia's government has rejected the outcome of a UN-backed meeting that called for the ouster of the current leadership to prepare the country for new elections.

The two-day gathering in Kenya was aimed at working out how the Horn of Africa nation can navigate through an upcoming transitional period.

The Somali government's mandate expires in August but it wants to stay in power longer. The government's international backers are demanding new elections.

The Mogadishu-based administration did not attend the meeting. Two regional administrations, a pro-government militia and parliamentarians did attend.

A Somali Cabinet statement on Thursday said the meeting did not meet the expectations of the Somali people.

- AP