Frontline states say they are united

The frontline states, bordering Somalia, are united in their support for a successful outcome to the Somali peace talks currently underway in Kenya, according to a Kenyan foreign ministry statement. It quoted Foreign Minister Kalonzo Musyoka as saying that "contrary to recent media reports, the frontline states [Kenya, Djibouti, and Ethiopia] have, and will continue to urge the parties participating in the peace talks not to take measures that would jeopardise the process which has reached a critical stage". He stressed that Kenya would remain a neutral facilitator for both the Somali and the Sudan peace talks. He also "reaffirmed the Kenyan government's willingness to be part of any peacekeeping force to be deployed in Somalia", the statement said. Meanwhile, the minister denied press reports that Kenya would try to mediate in the strained relations between Somalia and Ethiopia. In a separate statement, he said "Kenya has never at any time been asked to mediate between the two neighbouring countries".