Security Council warns obstructionist leaders

The UN Security Council has called on Somali parties taking part in peace talks in Kenya to "reach a peaceful settlement", and warned those blocking progress that it will keep a close watch. In a statement to the press following consultations on Wednesday, the current Council president, Ambassador Wang Guangya of China, warned that "the Security Council condemns those who obstruct the peace process, and stresses that those who persist on the path of confrontation and conflict will be held accountable". The Council called on Somalis to build on the progress made at the peace talks currently under way in Kenya under the auspices of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development, in order to establish "a viable transitional government". The Security Council also expressed concern over "the continued flow of weapons and ammunition" into Somalia, calling on all "states and entities" to cooperate with the monitoring group which oversees the arms embargo. A four-member panel of experts to investigate violations of the arms embargo on Somalia and advise the Council's sanctions committee was appointed by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan in September 2002.