UN urges calm in Somalia

2006-12-23 08:36

New York - The United Nations security council has called for an end to the ongoing violence that has intensified between Somalia's transitional government and its Muslim extremist rivals and a resumption of talks.

In a presidential statement read at a formal meeting, the council called on the feuding parties "to draw back from conflict, recommit to dialogue ... and refrain from any actions that could provoke or perpetuate violence and violations of human rights".

The statement said: "The security council reaffirms its commitment to a comprehensive and lasting settlement of the situation in Somalia, emphasising the importance of broad-based and representative institutions and of an inclusive political process."

Eritrea 'supports' Islamists

The clashes between hardline Islamic militants, the Union of Islamic Courts, and the Ethiopian-backed interim government threatened to spiral into a major conflict, involving Ethiopia and its bitter rival, Eritrea, which was accused of supporting the Islamic group.

Islamic forces had declared that they wanted to bring the whole country under Quranic rule and promised to continue attacks to drive out troops from neighbouring Ethiopia, a largely Christian nation that was providing military support.

The council emphasised the "need for continued credible dialogue" and urged both sides to resume talks "without delay".

"The security council welcomed and supported all regional and international efforts "to promote and encourage political dialogue" between the transitional government and the Union of Islamic Courts.

UN appeals for calm

Government officials had said that more than 600 Islamic fighters had been killed during four days of clashes. Islamic militia said they had killed about 400 Ethiopians and the government fighters, but neither claim could be confirmed independently.

The UN had appealed for calm, saying fighting would prevent aid from reaching hundreds of thousands in need of help because of hunger and flooding.

Somalia had not had an effective government since 1991. The country's secular interim government, set up in 2004 and backed by the UN, had rejected religious rule, but Muslim leaders had insisted on an Islamic government.

Somalia's internationally recognised interim government held only a small area around Baidoa. Meanwhile, The Islamic militiamen controlled Mogadishu along with most of southern Somalia.

- AP