The UK endeavor to bring all warring factions of Somalia to London in February must be welcomed by all Somalis regardless of their regional background and political preferences.

The conference was aimed at bringing together representatives of the warring factions of Somalia to end the civil war that had claimed over 300,000 lives.

On 14 December 2006, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Jendayi Frazer warned that al-Qaeda cell operatives were controlling the Islamic Courts Union, the Islamist faction of Somalia rapidly taking control of the southern area of the country.

Disputing that view, Mr. Annan said the United Nations could not carry out its mission of protecting relief supplies and encouraging a reconciliation among the factions of Somalia without disarming the militias, which means, in effect, taking an aggressive policy toward General Aidid.