§ Mr. MichaelTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the latest situation in Somalia generally and in the Republic of Somaliland in particular in the light of the resignation of Ambassador Sahnoun; and what representations the British Government have made to the Secretary-General of the United Nations as a result.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydMy noble Friend the Minister for Overseas Development met representatives from non-governmental organisations on 3 November to discuss the situation in the light of Ambassador Sahnoun's resignation. The security and relief situation in central and southern Somalia is volatile. In the north, the situation is more settled.
Acting bilaterally and on behalf of our Community partners, we have impressed upon the United Nations Secretary-General and his new special representative in Somalia, Mr. Ismat Kittani, the need for United Nations troops to be deployed quickly and for the United Nations' 100-day plan to continue. We have assured Mr. Ismat Kittani that we shall give him our full support.