To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions she has had with her (a) EU and (b) US counterparts on ways to strengthen the UN arms embargo against Somalia; and if she will make a statement. (110269)

We hold regular talks with our EU and Security Council partners, including the US. We are considering ways to strengthen the arms embargo and improve its implementation. We have urged all parties inside Somalia and neighbouring states to respect the arms embargo and do nothing to provoke violence in Somalia. UN Security Council Resolution 1725, unanimously adopted on 6 December 2006, emphasised the continued contribution made to Somalia’s peace and security by the arms embargo and demanded that all member states fully comply with it.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the UK has offered any support to the forthcoming African Union protection and training mission to Somalia. (110270)

I refer the right hon. Member to the reply my right hon. Friend the Minister for Trade, Investment and Foreign Affairs (Mr. McCartney) gave to the hon. Member for Cotswold (Mr. Clifton-Brown) on 19 December 2006, Official Report, column 1801W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what international agreement there is on the scale of the African Union protection and training mission to Somalia mandated by UN Security Council Resolution 1725 (2006); and if she will make a statement. (110271)

Work on planning the mission is ongoing. UN Security Council Resolution 1725 requested the Secretary-General, in consultation with the Commission of the African Union and the secretariat of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, to report on the implementation of the mandate within 30 days.