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UN envoys lead Somali peace talks UN envoys lead Somali peace talks
(about 2 hours later)
The UN Security Council is having its first discussions with Somalia's government and its opponents, at the start of an Africa tour.The UN Security Council is having its first discussions with Somalia's government and its opponents, at the start of an Africa tour.
The diplomats are also due to go to Sudan and other countries at war.
It has decided it is too dangerous to hold its Somali talks on Somali soil - so they are in Djibouti instead.It has decided it is too dangerous to hold its Somali talks on Somali soil - so they are in Djibouti instead.
The Security Council is also hoping to broker the first official direct talks between the Somali rivals although the most hardline militia is not present.The Security Council is also hoping to broker the first official direct talks between the Somali rivals although the most hardline militia is not present.
The diplomats are also due to go to Sudan and other countries at war.
BBC World Affairs correspondent Mark Doyle, who is travelling with the mission, says there is less optimism about the situation in Sudan.BBC World Affairs correspondent Mark Doyle, who is travelling with the mission, says there is less optimism about the situation in Sudan.
I am willing to do whatever it takes to promote peace and stability in Somalia President Abdullahi Yusuf
The mass displacement of civilians in the country's troubled western province of Darfur is still unresolved, and the peace agreement between the north and south of the country is in the midst of new tensions.The mass displacement of civilians in the country's troubled western province of Darfur is still unresolved, and the peace agreement between the north and south of the country is in the midst of new tensions.
The mission will also visit the Democratic Republic of Congo, where millions of people have been displaced by fighting in the east of the country.The mission will also visit the Democratic Republic of Congo, where millions of people have been displaced by fighting in the east of the country.
Plane attackedPlane attacked
The Security Council is holding separate meetings in Djibouti with the Somali government and the opposition, and has held out the possible prospect of the first official, face to face, talks between the two. The Security Council is holding separate meetings in Djibouti with the Somali government and the opposition at a luxury hotel on the shores of the Red Sea.
But in a sign of Somalia's instability, the plane taking President Abdullahi Yusuf to Djibouti was delayed by a mortar attack on the airport. "We believe that the people of Somalia are ready to move to another stage in your history and to move towards peace and security," said South Africa's UN ambassador Dumisani Kumalo at the start of the talks with the government delegation.
The plane was not hit but there are unconfirmed reports of two minor injuries in the attack blamed on Islamist insurgents. Somalia has not had a functioning national government since 1991.
The Security Council is also considering a resolution allowing countries to tackle pirates in Somalia's territorial waters.
Somalia's foreign minister told the BBC that he was ready to hold direct talks with the opposition Alliance for the Re-Liberation of Somalia (ARS).
The talks are being boycotted by the hardline al-Shabab militia, blamed for many of the attacks on government troops and their Ethiopian supporters.The talks are being boycotted by the hardline al-Shabab militia, blamed for many of the attacks on government troops and their Ethiopian supporters.
They refuse to hold talks until the Ethiopian troops leave the country.They refuse to hold talks until the Ethiopian troops leave the country.
But Mr Yusuf says there would be a security vacuum if the Ethiopians withdrew before being replaced by UN peacekeepers. But President Abdullahi Yusuf says there would be a security vacuum if the Ethiopians withdrew before being replaced by UN peacekeepers.
"I am willing to do whatever it takes to promote peace and stability in Somalia," he said.
A small contingent of African Union troops is in Mogadishu but has done little to quell the violence.A small contingent of African Union troops is in Mogadishu but has done little to quell the violence.
In a sign of Somalia's instability, the plane taking President Yusuf to Djibouti was delayed by a mortar attack on the airport.
The plane was not hit but there are unconfirmed reports of two minor injuries in the attack blamed on Islamist insurgents.
WindowWindow
Our correspondent says Somalia is the ultimate failed state - the capital Mogadishu is destroyed by war and an estimated half of the city's population has fled.Our correspondent says Somalia is the ultimate failed state - the capital Mogadishu is destroyed by war and an estimated half of the city's population has fled.
The UN says almost two million Somalis are in desperate need of outside assistance.The UN says almost two million Somalis are in desperate need of outside assistance.
An Islamist insurgency there has been mounting almost daily attacks on the weak government which is backed by the United States because Washington believes the Islamists are associated with al-Qaeda.An Islamist insurgency there has been mounting almost daily attacks on the weak government which is backed by the United States because Washington believes the Islamists are associated with al-Qaeda.
Some experts on this part of Africa say the strong US backing of one side, rather than emphasising the importance of talks between the factions, has exacerbated the situation.Some experts on this part of Africa say the strong US backing of one side, rather than emphasising the importance of talks between the factions, has exacerbated the situation.
Nevertheless, UN diplomats believe that the recent appointment of a new prime minister in Somalia, Nur Adde, who has said he will negotiate with anybody, provides a rare window of opportunity for a peace initiative.Nevertheless, UN diplomats believe that the recent appointment of a new prime minister in Somalia, Nur Adde, who has said he will negotiate with anybody, provides a rare window of opportunity for a peace initiative.