There is hope for a consensus on the controversial federal charter issue, Kenya's special envoy to the Somali peace talks, Mr Bethwel Kiplagat, said yesterday.

A conference would soon receive recommendations to pave the way for setting up new transitional institutions in the country. A parliament would be created by the Nairobi talks based on clans, he said.

Organisers of the peace talks say the second phase will soon end after a plenary session tackles the recommendations of six technical committees dealing with the core issues. These include federalism, disarmament, conflict resolution, economic reconstruction and land rights.

The talks are the 14th international effort to restore stability in Somalia since 1991.