OIC to assist in Somalia’s rebuilding,World urged to help stabilize Somalia

JEDDAH: The 57-member Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) announced Thursday its plan to open an office in Mogadishu next month to support reconstruction of Somalia.“The humanitarian department at the OIC in association with NGOs in member countries will carry out humanitarian projects worth $50 million in Somalia," said OIC Secretary-General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu.The 16th session of the International Contact Group (ICG) on Somalia was held on Thursday at the OIC headquarters in Jeddah to discuss key development issues and to call for international support in fighting piracy and poverty.The meeting was held under the chairmanship of the UN Special Representative for Somalia Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah. It was attended by Somali Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke and around 45 delegates from ICG member states, observer countries and international organizations.The ICG also welcomed the Transitional Federal Government’s (TFG) commitment to continue its efforts to outreach groups willing to cooperate and renounce violence.The ICG reiterated the position of Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) that the Djibouti process is the framework within which all international efforts should be undertaken and that reconciliation steps should continue to empower and support the TFG.The ICG condemned the continuing violence perpetrated against Somali civilians by extremists, in particular the suicide bomb attack on a graduation ceremony in Mogadishu on Dec. 3. It also called on the international community to provide coordinated, timely and sustained support to build Somali security institutions including the provision of stipends following the completion of training.Ihsanoglu also paid tribute to the United Nations for its central role in global conflict resolution, peace and security restoration along with other international stakeholders, including the OIC..more..http://www.arabnews.com/?page=4&section=0&article=129810&d=18&m=12&y=2009
World urged to help stabilize Somalia
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-12/18/content_12666963.htm