President Yusuf and the First Lady [Image: GO]

MOGADISHU, Somalia July 15 (Garowe Online) - A much anticipated National Reconciliation Conference opened in the Somali capital Mogadishu as planned today but the sounds of mortar fire signaled no end to the violent insurgency.

At least seven mortars slammed into neighborhoods near the ex-police compound where the NRC kicked off Sunday, with appearances by top government officials, clan delegates and foreign dignitaries.

Three civilians were wounded in the mortar explosions aimed at the NRC, witnesses said. Insurgents linked to an ousted Islamist movement have vowed to disrupt the conference, and even threatened to kill participants.

Somali President Abdullahi Yusuf's keynote address was briefly interrupted by the loud sound of explosions outside. But the president said he does not fear the mortars and went on with his long speech, adding that he will only die "when God says so."

At the onset of his speech, Yusuf asked participants to pray for the late Adan Abdulle Osman, the first president of an independent Somali Republic who died last month.

President Yusuf spoke at length about his interim government, its history, accomplishments and future plans. The Somali leader promised to conference delegates that his government will value decisions reached at the NRC.

On security, the president admitted that a lot remained to be done with regard to securing Mogadishu.

"We are fully confident that the Somali people want to save their country if given the opportunity," President Yusuf said.

The Somali president said the transitional federal government assures the public that it will continue to operate under the framework of the interim constitution; to protect each Somali citizen's personal freedoms and rights; and to assure that no citizen's rights be trampled upon.

Yusuf explained in detail his government's long-term goals, including national security, a new constitution passed in a nation-wide referendum, a national census, and preparation for democratric elections in 2009.

"We will pursue every route to peace, with patience and calm," he said, adding that many in Somalia and abroad wished for his government to fail.

President Yusuf appealed to foreign governments and aid agencies to rush to the aid of Somali people, who have been suffering from conflict and drought for years.

"We came together today to show the international community that the Somali people can determine their own destiny and to portray that nationalism has not died in Somalia," he said.

Ali Mahdi, chairman of the NRC, informed participants that the conference would be delayed until Thursday to allow for the arrival of all delegates.

Thousands of Somali-Ethiopian soldiers have been deployed throughout Mogadishu, with some residents suggesting its the highest number of troops in the capital since January.

Source: Garowe Online