Hargeysa, Somaliland, May 21, 2008 – The President of Somaliland, Mr Dahir Rayale Kahin received this evening a delegation from the British embassy in Addis Ababa led by Ambassador Norman Ling and other senior diplomats who are on a short visit to Somaliland.

In a communiqué issued by the President's press office, Mr Rayale and Ambassador Ling met this evening to discuss the strengthening of the ties between the two countries in terms of economic, security and democratic developments.

Ambassador Ling thanked the people and the government of Somaliland for the warm welcome afforded to his delegation and praised the ability of Somaliland to maintain peace and stability in the country whilst at the same time promoting good governance and democratic institutions.

President Rayale responded to the Ambassador's comments by stating that Somaliland aims to continue on its path to democracy and assured the diplomats that Somaliland will hold free and fair elections similar to the previous ones.

President Rayale thanked the United Kingdom for its continued support of the people of Somaliland and paid tribute to the historical ties between the two countries.

Also attending the dinner for the British diplomats were the Somaliland Minister of Finance, Mr Hussein Ali Duale, the Minister of Home Affairs, Mr Abdillahi Ismail Ali, the Minister of State at the Foreign Office, Saeed Mohamud Nur and the Somaliland representative to the United Kingdom, Mr Aden Musa Jibril.

Source Qarannews