ADDIS ABABA, June 10 (Xinhua) -- African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson Alpha Oumar Konare on Saturday welcomed the cessation of hostilities in Somali capital of Mogadishu, saying that it is "a unique situation in the recent history of Somalia."   

    "This situation creates a climate that is conducive to the promotion of stability and to contributing to the consolidation of peace and good governance in the country," Konare said in a statement.

    He expressed hope that all concerned parties will "take full advantage of this unique situation in the interest of the people of Somalia as a whole."

    The AU boss said Somalia's transitional federal government has now issued a clear statement calling for inter-Somali dialogue, adding that similar sentiments have been expressed from Mogadishu.

    "We welcome these developments and support this (approach),"said Konare.

    Somalia, the Horn of Africa nation, has had no functioning central government since 1991. Somalia's transitional federal government relocated from Kenya in June last year.  Enditem