New Somali Leader Plans Meetings

Somalia’s new leader said he plans to hold talks later this month with all Somali groups that opposed ousted President Mohamed Siad Barre or fought to end his 22-year rule.

President Ali Mahdi Mohamed said the meetings will be held to discuss the future of the Horn of Africa nation, where rebel leaders claim about 4,000 people were killed in the monthlong insurgency.

The announcement was made after Mohamed met with a “reconciliation committee” of elders, rebel leaders and prominent Somalis who apparently are advising the new government. The upcoming meeting will hold “joint discussions on matters relating to the people’s future,” according to a Somali broadcast, monitored in Nairobi.