More Somali factions join Cairo peace accord

One of the main factional leaders in Somalia, Ali Mahdi Mohammed, says his members have resolved their differences and will all attend a national reconciliation conference planned for next month.

He made the announcement in in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, after a meeting of his National Salvation Council.

Mr Ali Mahdi told reporters that two groups which refused to sign a peace accord last month in Cairo ,the Somali Patriotic Movement and the Somali Salvation Democratic Front, would now take part in the conference.

But a spokesman said the faction was proposing a different way of selecting delegates, and would put this to the other main faction leader, Hussein Aidid, shortly.

Meanwhile, the Ethiopian Foreign Minister, Seyoum Mesfin, said his government now supports the holding of the reconciliation meeting.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service