Djibouti says Somali conference progressing well

The Foreign Minister of Djibouti, Ali Abdi Farah, has said the Somali national reconciliation conference, which began in Djibouti in early May, is progressing well.

Speaking in a BBC interview, Mr Farah said he expected delegates to elect a transitional government for Somalia within the next two weeks.

He said around nine-hundred delegates were now taking part in the peace talks, and major problems had been resolved.

The delegates represent Somali clans, as well as political, community and armed groups -- however most militia leaders are not taking part.

The administration of the self-declared Republic of Somaliland in the north has also refused to support the conference.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service