Leaders talk on rebuilding Somalia

Rival Somali factions plan to hold a reconciliation conference in February aimed at rebuilding state institutions shattered by six years of clan warfare, a Somali source said. A Somali leader involved in Egyptian- sponsored talks between warring groups said a "national salvation conference" would be held in the Somali town of Baidoa on 15 February. He said it would elect a 13-member presidential council from the four main tribes, each of which would be represented by three members. The final member would be from a minority tribe.

The leader, from the National Salvation Council (NSC), a 26-faction alliance opposed to warlord Hussein Mohammed Aideed, said the conference would elect a prime minister to form a government later in February. It would also elect a parliament. - Reuters, Cairo