The government in Djibouti has announced plans for a tax to fund a Somali reconciliation conference, which is now expected to take place in Djibouti in early April.

The cabinet approved plans yesterday to require cabinet members to contribute around one-hundred-and-twenty dollars a month, and members of parliament half that sum.

Government employees and the public will be asked for voluntary contributions. The industry minister, Mohamed Ali Mohamed, told the BBC that Djiboutians would be happy to contribute because of Somalia's help in the past -- an apparent reference to Somali support for Djibouti's struggle to win independence from France.

President Guelleh launched a peace plan for Somalia at the United Nations in September; it has since been endorsed by Somalia's neighbours and the UN Security Council.