U.S. lauds Somali transitional body

Wednesday 1st September, 2004

The U.S. State Department Tuesday welcomed the inauguration of the Somali Transitional Federal Assembly.

The body was inaugurated Sunday and is seen a step to re-establish stability and effective governance in Somalia.

We applaud the efforts of the Somali national conference and call on all those who may still challenge the results to express themselves through peaceful means, the department said in a statement.

Washington further urged Mogadishu to select a president, prime minister and government officials to create a democratic, representative transitional government that could work toward reconciliation in the country.

The statement lauded the role of Kenya, the European Commission, the European Union's executive, along with the Somali business community and civil society for the development.

We call on all Somali participants to continue their efforts toward the re-establishment of effective governance in Somalia with sustained commitment, honesty and goodwill, the statement added.