On 27 October, Foreign Secretary, David Miliband, met with the Prime Minister of Somalia, Omar Adbirashid Sharkmarke and other key ministers.

The Foreign Secretary reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) in its efforts to work towards the return of peace and stability to Somalia and welcomed the Prime Minister’s ongoing focus on advancing the political process and transition, reconciliation and recovery.

He deplored attempts by insurgents to undermine through violence the reconciliation efforts by the TFG and underlined that instability in Somalia is a threat to regional peace and security.

The Foreign Secretary also raised the case of the two British nationals that have reportedly been seized by pirates off the Seychelles.  Prime Minister Sharkmarke agreed to work closely with the British Government to resolve this issue urgently.