Somali president appeals for peace

The interim Somali president, Abdulkassim Salat Hassan, says the process of national reconciliation must be widened to bring in all those not included so far.

He was speaking after four days of peace talks between the transitional government and its opponents ended with a call for power-sharing based on all Somali clans, for national disarmament and for the renunciation of violence.

Mr Salat Hassan acknowledged that some faction leaders had not taken part, but he said they were bound to reach agreement with the transitional administration because the overwhelming majority of Somali people wanted peace.

Two key militia leaders, Hossein Aideed and General Morgan, chose not to attend the peace talks in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi.

Kenyan President Daniel arap Moi, who chaired the talks, announced afterwards that he was reopening the border with Somalia.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service