SOMALIA FORCE FAILURE DAMAGES AFRICAN UNION'S CREDIBILITY

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 31st Jan 2007

SOMALIA FORCE FAILURE DAMAGES AFRICAN UNION'S CREDIBILITY

Commenting on the failure of the African Union to establish a planned peacekeeping force in Somalia, Liberal Democrat Sam Potts said:

"This is a serious blow for Somalia which will damage the African Union's credibility.

"With the UN Security Council authorising this action, the EU providing funds and the US offering air-support, the AU's failure to come up with the 8,000 troops required is a real setback.

"The situation in Somalia is fragile with a narrowing window of opportunity for peace and stability. The AU must deploy a credible force to ensure the Ethiopian troops withdraw."