MOGADISHU, August 31, 2007 – Talks aimed at ending 16 years of conflict in Somalia were due to wrap up yesterday, with diplomats saying the parley had made no progress after six weeks of marathon negotiations.

As about 2 500 delegates and observers gathered for a closing ceremony in northern Mogadishu amid tight security, diplomats called for a new approach to solve Somalia's chronic anarchy.

"We know this conference has gone nowhere. The problem is blind confidence in the transitional federal government," a foreign diplomat said, but Somali elders argued that at least such talks had been managed.

"We all wanted to support it and we all did (that, but) it did not rise to the occasion, so we need a different approach now," said the diplomat, who asked not to be named.

Elders said the attendance level at the Somali National Congress was in itself a favorable first step towards pacifying the nation.

"It was the first time such a large number of Somali delegates in favor of peace met, so for this simple reason this congress is a basis for our future unity," said clan elder Bile Mohamud Qabowsade.

More than 1 000 delegates representing the country's clans and sub-clans met in the insurgency-prone city to discuss power and wealth sharing, as well as other issues.

Last week, a respected clan elder participating in the conference was killed by gunmen, and three other delegates were wounded in grenade attacks at their hotels.

Source: AFP