ABU DHABI,(wam)19th AUGUST 2002- BY Banadir.com

President H.H. Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al-Nahyan has received a verbal message from Somali Interim President Abdiqassim S. Hassan dealing with bilateral relations . The message, which also carries the Somali leader's congratulations on the 36th Anniversary of Sheikh Zayid's Accession as Ruler of Abu Dhabi, was conveyed to Saif Saeed bin Saed, Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry, during his meeting here on Sunday,the 18th of August 2002, with Somali Foreign Minister Yousuf H. Ibrahim who is currently visiting the Country. The meeting tackled means of enhancing bilateral relations in light of the outcome of the recent visit to the UAE by President Abdiqassim .

The mechanism of providing Somalia with the subsidy prescribed by Amman Arab Summit in March 2001 was also discussed prior to the Arab League Ministerial Council's meeting early next September (4-5) in Cairo .The Minister said he reviewed with Saed relations in various domains and briefed him on developments in Somalia and efforts being exerted to bring about national reconciliation and stability in the strife-torn country .

The Somali official said he also briefed Saed on his country's view on the Middle East issue which,he said, was supportive to the Arab initiative launched during the recent Arab Summit in Beirut, describing it as " the optimal solution for the problem " . The meeting was attended by the Somali Ambassador in the UAE.