January 12, 2002	Saturday	Shawwal 27, 1422

KHARTOUM, Jan 11: East African leaders called on Friday for “another chance” to avoid a US military strike on Somalia and committed the region to the international campaign against terrorism.

Leaders of the seven member states of the Nairobi-based Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) adopted a resolution on Somalia “urging the TNG (transitional national government) and all other parties (in Somalia) to commit themselves to combat terrorism in all its forms.”

They also called at the end of a two-day summit on “the international community to join IGAD for establishing peace in Somalia,” which risks becoming the next target of the US-led war on terrorism.

US officials have alleged Somalia is home to people or organisations linked to Al-Qaeda and that members of the group held responsible for the September 11 terror attacks on New York and Washington could try to seek refuge in Somalia.

Asked if IGAD leaders had taken any measures to prevent military action in Somalia, Sudanese Foreign Minister Mustafa Ismail said they had asked unnamed “concerned powers” for “another chance” to avert a strike.—AFP