Some powerful Somali faction leaders have rejected a peace plan put forward by Mr Guelleh.

In a BBC interview, Mr Guelleh said the conference -- which began four weeks ago -- was entering its second phase, and he was optimistic about its outcome.

More than eight hundred delegates representing Somali clans, political and armed groups are discussing the peace plan in Djibouti. The plan envisages a transitional government to run Somalia for two years.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service