TLondon, UK, March 7, 2009 - Somaliland's president, Dahir Rayale Kahin and his delegation, currently on an official visit to the United Kingdom met with members of the All Party Somaliland Group at the Houses of Parliament in London on Friday. Mr. Alun Michael MP, the chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Somaliland welcomed President Rayale and his delegation to the House of Commons. The Somaliland delegation was also accompanied by the Speaker of the Somaliland Parliament, Mr. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi.

The Somaliland President Dahir Rayale Kahin thanked the MP's for their warm welcome and their sterling support of Somaliland and its citizens. President Rayale gave an overview of the situation in Somaliland, as well as, the current state of affairs in the Horn of Africa. In his brief remarks, President Rayale welcomed the continuing co-operation between Somaliland and the United Kingdom in areas of mutual interest including democracy, security and development.

President Rayale thanked the government of the United Kingdom for their economic support along democratic development. The members of the All-Party Parliamentary Somaliland Group welcomed the peaceful development in Somaliland, and maintained their intention to support the security and democratic development of Somaliland.

The Somaliland delegation currently visiting the United Kingdom includes, Foreign Minister, Abdillahi Mohamed Duale. The Somaliland delegation are expected to meet with other senior members of the United Kingdom government in the next few days to discuss areas of mutual interest including the logistical, observational and financial needs of the forth-coming elections in Somaliland. The Somaliland delegation are also expected to meet with Commonwealth secretariat, business leaders and members of the Somaliland community in the United Kingdom.