Somalia's
President Abdikassim Salad Hassan said Friday that peace, security and unity are
the priority areas of his government in the immediate future. Addressing
the general debate of the 55th session of the United Nations General Assembly,
Hassan said the challenges that Somalia faces today are monumental and his government
is prepared to meet them with a realistic approach. The
president said the priority areas include restoration of peace, stability and
national unity and formation of an effective security force to consolidate peace,
stability and national unity; disarmament of the militias and their encampment;
and maintenance of law and order through the creation of effective law enforcement
agencies and professional courts of law.
At the international level, the president reaffirmed the country's support for
the principles and objectives of the United Nations and pledged to cooperate with
relevant regional and sub- regional organizations. The
president requested the General Assembly to facilitate the adoption of a resolution
under the title of Assistance to the Somali Republic in the areas of need: urgent
assistance from member states for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Somalia;
resumption of the sustained economic cooperation with the international community
in general and with member states of the United Nations in particular; and a call
on relevant U.N. agencies and organizations to redouble their efforts in providing
financial and material assistance to the people of Somalia. He
expressed the hope that the United Nations will continue to provide support for
the realization of the aspirations of the Somali people for stability, peace and
development. . | 
