Somali delegates optimistic about peace talks

Nairobi- Kenya (PANA) -- The Somali peace talks under way in Nairobi are on course, and the strife-torn Horn of Africa nation might get a new government as early as next month, former factional leader Hussein Farah Aideed averred here on Monday.
At a news conference in Nairobi, Aideed, who also expressed interest in running for Somalia's presidency, said delegates had agreed broadly on the reconciliation and reconstruction of their country.
"Indeed, this is the last conference and in a few months' time the Republic of Somalia will have a sitting government of national unity," he said.
According to Aideed, delegates had agreed that a government of national unity based on the principle of equal representation would be constituted to oversee the transition, reconciliation and reconstruction of Somalia.
"We have also agreed that the interim government would restore and enforce law and order through disarmament and demobilisation of factions, de-mining of the countryside and creation of a national police force," said Aideed, who was accompanied by some of the delegates attending the conference.
They also agreed that the interim government would recreate national institutions and establish a federal and democratic government based on the principle of semi-autonomy for the regions as well as carry out an immediate population census and registration of persons to determine demographics.
Other points agreed upon include the resettlement of Somali refugees currently scattered all over the world and the establishment of institutions to provide social and welfare services, including education, health care and community services.
"We want the interim government to hold free and fair elections based on the universal suffrage and the principle of one man one vote.
The UN, regional governments and international organisations will supervise this election," Aideed said.