Regional body lauds Kenya´s role in Somali peaceprocess

Source: Xinhua | 10-29-2008 16:18

NAIROBI, Oct. 29 (Xinhua) -- The seven-nation regional mediation body, the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), has commended Kenya for playing a leading role in the Somali peace process.

Ethiopia's Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, who is the current IGAD chairman, specifically thanked Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki for his dedication and efforts towards a lasting solution to the Somalia problem.

The Ethiopian Prime Minister was speaking on Tuesday evening during a State banquet hosted by President Mwai Kibaki in Nairobi in honour of the visiting Heads of State of IGAD member countries.

The IGAD leaders are in the country for the 13th Extra Ordinary Session of IGAD Assembly of Heads of State and Government which opens in Nairobi on Wednesday.

A statement from President Kibaki's office said Zenawi noted that the Somali Transitional Federal Institutions got their roots in Kenya more than four years ago, adding that it was proper that the last-ditch effort to save Somalia also originate from Kenya.

Zenawi thanked President Kibaki for hosting the 13th Extra-Ordinary Session of the IGAD summit which is geared towards addressing the security problem in the region.

The banquet was also attended by Djibouti President Ismael Guelleh, Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni, Kenya's Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka and Prime Minister Raila Odinga among others.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei