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Nigerian parliament vows to support peace talks with Boko Haram

04 November 2012 02:00 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. Nigeria’s parliament Saturday announced that it would support any step to bring peace to the West African country, especially the proposed peace talks between the Boko Haram sect and the government, APA reports quoting Xinhua.

Parliament Speaker Aminu Tambuwai voiced the support at a press conference held in the southwestern state of Osun, describing the call by Boko Haram for dialogue with the government as a welcome development.

"If the sect is now accepting that there should be a kind of peace pact with the Federal Government, I am sure the house will encourage that. The House of Representatives is the house of the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and any step that can bring peace to the country will be welcomed," he said.

Boko Haram leaders on Thursday held a teleconference in Maiduguri, capital of Borno State in the country’s northeast, saying they were set to hold peace talks with the government based on some conditions.

The sect also mentioned some personalities it wants to see on the negotiation table, while suggesting Saudi Arabia as the meeting place.

In response, the speaker said not all conditions brought forward by the sect could be met, but the country’s legislative arm of government would ensure things were done properly.

"I think government should be engaged and see how best the issues can be resolved," he added.

Waves of attacks have been claimed Boko Haram in the northern and central parts of Nigeria. The sect has killed more than 1,500 people including women and children since 2009, according to the Human Rights Watch (HRW).

The olive branch from the Boko Haram sect came barely 24 hours after the Nigerian police announced a probe to ascertain sponsors of the sect.