Asmara,(insidesomalia.org)- Officials of the splintered Alliance for the Re-Liberation of Somalia, ARS led by acting chairman Zakariye Haji Mahmud, Jama Muhammad Ghalib, Husayn Muhammad Aydid, Sheikh Hasan Dahir Aweys, and Fowsiyo Muhammad Shaykh yesterday attended in Asmara, Eritrea, a well-organized ceremony marking 48th anniversary of former British Somaliland independence day along with up to 100 alliance members.

Reports say the ceremony was attended by European embassies in Asmara, a large number of Somalis as well as by members of the alliance based in Asmara.

Foreign officials and leaders of the Asmara based alliance gave speeches at the ceremony.

Zakariye Haji Mahmud said: "I am very delighted we are celebrating 26 June Somaliland Independence Day.

I am sad about the division that exists between southern and northern regions.

We know that Somalia is under occupation but it is important that we bear in mind the 1988 massacre perpetrated against the self-proclaimed Somaliland.

We would like to apologize to them Somaliland and we have to seek the liberation of the country Somalia."

Also speaking was alliance deputy chairman Jama Muhammad Ghalib, who dwelt on the struggle that was waged to liberate Somaliland and the 1988 atrocities, which he said was disheartening.