London, UK, March 7, 2009 (SL Times) - Somaliland's President Dahir Rayale Kahin has paid an official visit to the United Kingdom this week. So far, he has met with Britain's Minister of Foreign Affairs, David Miliband and other foreign ministry officials. During the meeting, Somaliland President Kahin conveyed to the British foreign minister the long-standing relations between Britain and Somaliland and how those relations could be deepened and strengthened. Mr Kahin also emphasized the peace and security that prevails in Somaliland, and how that peace as well as Somaliland's democratic process were achieved without much assistance from the international community.

The British Foreign Minister, David Miliband, on his turn, thanked Somaliland's president and expressed how pleased his government is with Somaliland's progress. Mr Miliband also sent condolences to the people and government of Somaliland for the October 29 cowardly terrorist attacks and highlighted that his government will not accept any sabotage of Somaliland's progress.

In the meeting with the British foreign minister, Somaliland's president was accompanied by Somaliland's Foreign Minister, Abdillahi Duale, Muhammad Aar, and the president's Secretary, Ahmed Muhammad Ise. President Dahir Rayale Kahin met with members of the British parliament and spoke at Chatham House. He emphasized that Somaliland's progress is undeniable and that now is the time to grant full diplomatic recognition to Somaliland.