AU Summit digs into issues of infrastructure, financial crisis, regional security

In responding to the crisis, Ban urged the international community to take into account the needs of the poorest countries and produce stimulus packages to help achieve the Millennium Development Goals.

Delegates react during the opening ceremony of the 12th AU summit at the conference center of the United Nations' Economic Commission of Africa(ECA) in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia, Feb. 2, 2009. (Xinhua/Xu Suhui)

On hot regional security issues, Ban expressed pleasure in the political progress in Somalia, which had just elected a lawful president Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed.

At a press conference held in the afternoon, the UN chief congratulated the Somali people for electing a young and energetic new leader.

"I will have a meeting with the new Somali leader later here to discuss such issues as democracy and freedom for the Somali people and the issue of piracy off the Somali seas," Ban said.

He noted that the UN will seek to strengthen the AU peacekeeping mission (AMISON) in Somalia as well as help train Somali forces to guarantee security in the country.

In the speech, Ban urged the Sudanese government and the rebel groups to stop the conflicts immediately, so the peace process can be restored and civilian lives could be saved.

He asked the nations that had pledged peace-keeping troops in Darfur to deploy them as soon as possible.

On the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the UN chief said the nation has suffered some setbacks recently, but there is a dramatic turn for the better, yet the situation on the ground is still fragile.

The UN will strengthen the peacekeeping Mission in the DRC (MONUC) to better protect civilian population and provide humanitarian assistance.

Ban welcomed the national unity government of Zimbabwe as the first step toward full democracy, but he said there is a long way to go.

The UN will work with the mediator, the South African Development Community (SADC), on the process, and urged all sides to cooperate to let the desparately-needed humanitarian aid into the country.