Somalia official resigns

MOGADISHU, Somalia, Oct. 31 (UPI) -- U.N. officials are welcoming what's seen as a peaceful conclusion of the crisis within Somalia's Transitional Federal Government.

Officials say Somalia Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Gedi has announced his resignation. U.N. Secretary-General Special Representative for Somalia Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah called statements made during the announcement by Somalia President Abdullahi Yusuf and Gedi conciliatory, the U.N. Political Office in Somalia reported.

Ould-Abdallah called on the country’s leaders to overcome the challenges facing the war-torn nation and to continue seeking peaceful solutions that he said should include carrying out key provisions of the Transitional Federal Charter.

But Ould-Abdallah expressed concern over the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation as a result of the continued violence in Mogadishu and the subsequent displacement of the civilian population.

U.N. officials warn that the crisis in Somalia challenges Somalis, the United Nations and the rest of international community.

“The prolonged suffering of the population must push us to more effectively address the Somali crisis,” U.N. Deputy Secretary General Asha-Rose Migiro said in a statement. “Conflicts continue to cause widespread suffering, abuse and displacement for millions of people -- primarily women and children. And they have taken an unacceptable toll on people’s lives and livelihoods for far too long."