An international meeting on Somalia held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, chaired by the United Nations, called on the world community to offer practical and, where possible, direct support to the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) as it battles extremists in a country that has had no central government for almost two decades.

Under the chairmanship of Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s Special Representative Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, the 33-member International Contact Group on Somalia (ICG) noted the TFG’s call for the global community to establish a greater presence in Mogadishu, the war-torn capital, as soon as possible, and welcomed the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) decision to open an office there.

“The ICG condemns the continuing violence perpetrated against Somali civilians by extremists,” the group said in a communiqué, citing in particular the suicide bomb attack on a graduation ceremony for medical students which killed at least 15 people in Mogadishu earlier this month.

It also deplored the continuing piracy off the Somali coast and its “devastating effect on the lives of those in Somalia and the region as well as international trade” and welcomed the international naval presence while recognizing that the causes of piracy are on land and must be addressed urgently.

The ICG reiterated its support for the 2008 Djibouti process, a peace accord between the TFG and one of the rebel groups, the Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia (ARS), which was meant to pave the way for the cessation of all armed conflict across the faction-plagued country.

“It calls on all groups and factions to join the Djibouti process and work with the Transitional Federal Government which is the legitimate and internationally recognised Government of Somalia,” the communiqué said.

“The ICG welcomes the TFG’s commitment to continue its outreach efforts to all groups willing to cooperate and ready to renounce violence and encourages the TFG to continue and expand its efforts.”

According to the United Nations Mission in Somalia representatives from more than 30 countries, regional and international organizations are meeting in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on 17 December. They will discuss concrete measures to support further the Somali Government and the implementation of the Djibouti Agreement.

Welcoming the meeting, the United Nations Special Representative for Somalia, Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, who chairs the ICG, said this is a time to take stock of the progress made and to lay down clear and tangible steps forward.

“We now have a credible partner in the Somali Government to work with in re-establishing the elements of governance and to put in place a foundation for strengthening stability. The International Community must seize this opportune moment to provide immediate and urgent support to the Somali Government.

“Despite the numerous challenges and the horrendous attacks by those who try to derail the peace process, the current Government has managed to stay its course for nearly a year. They have until August 2011 to pave the way for restoration of peace and for rebuilding of the lives of the people.

“Any assistance provided now is much more valuable than it will be in the future because it will allow this Government to fully engage in establishing stability and to begin rebuilding the nation. In essence, support now will guarantee a future later.

“The International Community was united in its condemnation of the 3 December bombing in Mogadishu. It needs to be equally united and determined in supporting the Government in its efforts to advance the stability.”

Mr. Ould-Abdallah also expressed his thanks to the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) for organizing the conference and to the Saudis for their offer to host the meeting and to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for facilitations offered.