According to the source, Libyan leader Mu'ammar al-Qadhafi said he accepted Abdiqasim as the president of Somalia, and told Aydid that he too should recognise the newly appointed leader. However, Aydid was later reported by AFP as saying he did not recognise Abdiqasim as a national president, but only as a group leader. The newly elected Somali government should prosecute war criminals in court, or set up a truth finding commission. Hassan Shire Sheik, co-director of the Dr Ismail Juma'le Human Rights Centre, based in Mogadishu, told IRIN that it was essential for the new government to establish accountability , as a matter of credibility. After choosing a prime minister, subject to a vote of confidence by the parliament, Abdiqasim will then announce ministerial posts and the cabinet.
Delegates represent the seven member countries, Djibouti, Eritrea.
Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan Uganda and Tanzania. The 40 observers travelled by road and air to arrive at the sites simultaneously from Asmara and Addis Ababa. On the Ethiopian side of the border, the teams are positioned at Inda Silase, Adigrat, Zela Anbesa and Manda. On the Eritrean side, the teams are in Barentu, Adi Kwala, Adi Keyih and Assab. Diplomatic sources told IRIN that the governments which had offered support for the programme included Britain, Belgium and Japan.