Somali peace talks postponed

KHARTOUM - Peace talks in Sudan between Somalia's government and Islamists were postponed on Wednesday after both sides failed to meet face-to-face in a blow to hopes of averting war in the Horn of Africa nation.

"There is a need for further consultation on both substantive and procedural issues to move the dialogue forward," said a statement from mediators including the Arab League, the European Union and the African Union.

It called for restraint by both sides and said the international community was committed "to continue assisting the Somali parties in sustaining their talks in Khartoum as soon as possible upon consultation with all the parties."

- REUTERS