Security Council press statement ..Security Council backs new talaban government in Somalia...London to boost funds for peacekeepers in Somalia.

UNITED NATIONS (AFP) – The UN Security Council gave a stamp of approval Friday to Somalia's new unity government and urged increased international aid to African Union (AU) peacekeepers trying to contain the violence in the lawless country. After a briefing by Somalia's new foreign minister Mohamed Abdullahi Omaar, the 15-member body adopted a non-binding statement that welcomed "the positive political developments and progress" since the UN-brokered national reconciliation talks in Djbouti last year. These, it noted, included the election earlier this year of President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, a moderate Islamist cleric, the establishment of an inclusive parliament and the subsequent formation of a unity government led by Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Shamarke. The statement said council members "encourage the international community to extend financial and technical support to the government in its efforts towards rebuilding vital institutions, especially in the areas of security and the rule of law."..more..http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090320/wl_africa_afp/somaliaunrestun
London to boost funds for peacekeepers in Somalia
UNITED NATIONS (AFP) – The government said Friday it would contribute an additional 10 million pounds (14.4 million dollars) in support of African Union (AU) peacekeepers in Somalia as the Somali foreign minister pressed the UN to lift its arms embargo.
Britain's UN Ambassador John Sawers told a Security Council meeting on Somalia that London would give the additional funds this month to the UN trust fund for the AU mission in Somalia (AMISOM).
"This is in addition to the five million pounds that we have already given directly to the African Union for AMISOM," Sawers said. "We encourage others also to contribute."
Newly-appointed Somali Foreign Minister Mohamed Abdullahi Omaar asked the AU to deploy three additional battalions of Ugandan and Burundian troops to beef up its mission.
"This needs to be undertaken immediately with improved equipment, logistics and medical facilities," he added...more..http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090320/wl_uk_afp/somaliaunrestun_20090320173251
Security Council press statement on Somalia
http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900SID/VDUX-7QBT58?OpenDocument