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Somali President to Hold National Reconciliation Conference
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=165FA53:A6F02AD83191E160AA2BA77F86216FFE9574F7DCC14957C0 President
Abdullahi Yusuf Amhed  says conference will be open to moderate
Islamists who lay down weapons, renounce violence and be committed to
a peaceful Somalia





Abdullahi Yusuf Amhed (file photo) Somali President Abdullahi Yusuf
Amhed says he will hold a national reconciliation conference in the
coming weeks to help the country return to peace.

Speaking during a Thursday visit to London, Mr. Yusuf said the
conference will be open to moderate Islamists. He said the only
conditions for taking part in the talks are to lay down weapons,
renounce violence and be committed to a peaceful Somalia.

Ethiopian and Somali government troops drove Islamist forces from the
capital, Mogadishu, late last year. Since then, insurgents have
mounted frequent attacks, which have killed many people, mainly
civilians.

At least two mortar rounds landed near Mogadishu's international
airport Thursday, but no injuries were reported. And officials say
unknown gunmen shot to death two local government officials in the
capital late Wednesday.

Some information for this report provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.


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