SC/8735
     AFR/1391
     1 June 2006

Security Council Press Statement on Somalia

NEW YORK, 31 May (UN Headquarters) -- Following is the text of today's press statement delivered by Acting Security Council President Pascal Gayama (Congo):

The members of the Security Council received a briefing on 30 May 2006 from the Department of Political Affairs, related to the recent developments in Somalia.  They strongly condemned the resumption of fighting in Mogadishu.

The members of the Security Council expressed their deep concern over the loss of life, suffering and the renewed violence against the civilian populations.

The members of the Security Council called for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire and urged both sides to find solutions to the problems in Mogadishu, within the framework of the Transitional Federal Charter.

The members of the Security Council also called on all parties to respect international law, in particular international humanitarian and human rights law, and ensure humanitarian access to populations in needs and the protection of humanitarian workers.

The members of the Security Council reiterated the urgent need for a rapid finalization of an agreed national security and stabilization plan, set out in presidential statement S/PRST/2006/11.

The members of the Security Council have reiterated the need to strictly comply with the arms embargo introduced by relevant Security Council resolutions, and expressed the need to continue the efforts to this end, within the Committee established pursuant to Security Council resolution 751.

The members of the Security Council will continue to closely monitor the situation in Somalia.

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