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Somalia's new constitution must enshrine principles of religious freedom, international donors said Monday (July 2nd) at the International Contact Group on Somalia meeting in Rome.

"We must insist on and ensure that principles of equality and religious freedom are enshrined in the new constitution," said Italian Foreign Minister Giulio Terzi, according to AFP.

The meeting in Rome brought together officials from 28 countries and representatives of international agencies, who reiterated the necessity for Somalia to end the transitional government by August 20th.

"The situation in Somalia is at a critical juncture.... If we conclude this transition, we hope a new chapter will open for the Somali people," said Somali Speaker of Parliament Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aadan.

Somali leaders voted to adopt the draft constitution last month at a meeting in Nairobi. Traditional elders are now in the process of selecting delegates for the National Constituent Assembly, which will vote on adopting the constitution by July 20th.

Somali Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali said the August 20th deadline remains intact. "We are preparing the groundwork for a new Somalia. The Somali nation on August 20th will celebrate a new dawn," he said.