Make national interest paramount, Arab League tells peace talks participants

The Arab League, of which Somalia is a member, has called on Somali parties attending the peace talks under way in Kenya to put their nation's interests over other considerations, a press statement issued by the special envoy of the League to the talks, said. The statement urged the groups "to commit themselves to the ceasefire agreement, consolidate the Somali reconciliation conference process in Kenya, and expedite a political settlement of the Somali crisis". A ceasefire agreement was signed in October 2002 by the Somali participants in the talks, but has since been frequently violated. The Arab League welcomed the Safari Park agreement of 29 January signed by the parties, which was described at the time as "a landmark breakthrough" agreement on a number of contentious issues that had earlier plagued the talks. The League warned the Somali parties that "if they fail to adhere to their agreements and commitments, the international community will impose sanctions on them through the United Nations Security Council". It stressed the importance of Somalia's "unity and sovereignty" and reaffirmed continuing compliance of its member states with the UN arms embargo on Somalia. The Arab League also expressed its readiness to support the efforts of a future Somali government to "reconstruct the country, restore peace and stability, and implement a programme for the rapid disarmament and reintegration of militias".