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Africa North
UNSC voices "grave concern™" over instability, humanitarian situation in Somalia
2011-03-12
(Xinhua) -- The UN Security Council on Thursday voiced its "grave concern™" in a presidential statement over continued instability in Somalia and the "dire humanitarian situation™" in the region.

The presidential statement was adopted after Chinese UN Ambassador Li Baodong, who holds the rotating Council presidency for March, read it out at an open Council debate on the current situation in Somalia.

The statement voiced the Council's "grave concern™" at the continued instability in Somalia, saying that it has led to a multitude of problems, including terrorism, acts of piracy and armed robbery at sea off the coast, resulting in a "dire humanitarian situation™."

Meanwhile,
...back at the conference...
the Security Council also expressed "serious concern about the worsening humanitarian situation™" and the current drought which so far has left more than two million Somalis in urgent need of assistance, the statement said, urging the international community to contribute to humanitarian appeals.

"The Security Council stresses the need for a comprehensive strategy to encourage the establishment of peace and stability in Somalia," said the presidential statement.

"The Council regrets the decision by the Transitional Federal Parliament to extend its mandate unilaterally and without carrying out necessary reforms and urges the Transitional Federal Institutions (TFIs) to refrain from any further unilateral action, " said the statement.

The Security Council urged the TFIs to "broaden and consolidate the reconciliation process, intensify efforts to complete the outstanding transitional tasks." The Council also emphasized the importance of strengthening the Somali security forces.

On piracy and armed robbery, the Security Council stressed the need for a comprehensive response with the increase in pirate capacities and increased violence.

Boilerplate follows...
Somalia has lacked a
n effective central government since the ouster of president Mohamed Siad Barre 20 years ago unleashed bloody violence.
Posted by:Fred

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