Top U.S. diplomat visits Somalia to urge truce

By Ysain Bu'ul

BAIDOA, Somalia (Reuters) - The top U.S. diplomat for Africa met with officials of Somalia's interim government on Saturday to urge them to open up the political process to all Somalis who eschew violence and extremism and clear the way for a reconciliation conference in Mogadishu.

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Jendayi Frazer met with President Abdullahi Yusuf, Prime Minister Ali Mohamed and parliamentary leaders, urging them to foster an inclusive political process.

Frazer's arrival under heavy security marked the first time a high-ranking U.S. official has visited Somalia since 1994, when Washington pulled out of a disastrous peacekeeping mission after the downing of two helicopters and the deaths of 18 American soldiers.

The visit came on the sixth day of a truce to end some of the heaviest fighting in the capital Mogadishu in 15 years.

"She and all of the interlocutors she met with agreed that the reconciliation process should be open to all Somalis who eschew violence, extremism and terrorism," said State Department spokesman Sean McCormack in Washington.

"She made clear U.S. views that the best way to isolate terrorists and extremists is through an inclusive political process based on the Transitional Federal Charter."

Frazer told Somali officials the United States was moving ahead with disbursement of $40 million in aid and had asked Congress for an additional $60 million, McCormack said.

The aid will be used to support development and security needs, to assist in the deployment of the African Union Mission in Somalia, or AMISOM stabilisation force, and to provide humanitarian assistance.