Somalia: Annan hails inauguration of new parliament

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today welcomed the inauguration of the transitional federal parliament for Somalia – an event which took place in Nairobi, Kenya, where negotiators have been hammering out a peace deal for nearly two years.

In a statement released by his spokesman, the Secretary-General called the milestone “the beginning of long-awaited reconciliation” and voiced hope that the new parliament would work for the election of a President of Somalia and the establishment of governance structures for the country.

Mr. Annan also pledged the UN's readiness to support the peace process.

Through his spokesman, the Secretary-General congratulated all Somalis and commended Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki, other countries of the regional group organizing the talks – the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) – as well as the international supporters of Somalia National Reconciliation Conference.