This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/6118848.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Mogadishu talks to avert conflict Somali Islamists back peace talks
(about 5 hours later)
The speaker of Somalia's transitional parliament is in the capital, Mogadishu, for talks with Islamists to try to negotiate a peace deal. Somali's powerful Islamist leaders say they have agreed to hold new peace talks with the fragile transitional government to avert an all-out war.
Sharif Hassan Sheikh Adan is the first senior figure from the fragile government to go to Mogadishu since it was captured by the Islamists in July. The move comes after speaker of the transitional parliament Sharif Hassan Sheikh Adan held talks with the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) in Mogadishu.
The move follows the collapse of peace talks in Sudan last week. So far there have been no reaction from the transitional government.
Mr Adan was the first senior figure from the government to go to Mogadishu since it was seized by the UIC in July.
The talks in the capital followed the collapse of peace talks in Sudan last week.
Eyewitness reports from Somalia suggest both sides have been preparing for war and digging trenches.Eyewitness reports from Somalia suggest both sides have been preparing for war and digging trenches.
Mr Adan's was greeted at Mogadishu airport by the head of the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC), Sheikh Hassan Dahir Awyes. "The talks [with Mr Adan] were so critical and the Islamic courts have accepted the offer from the speaker for talks," UIC's senior official Sheikh Mohamed Ibrahim was quoted as saying by the AFP news agency.
"We're asking God to pull the Somalis out of the chaos they're in. Somalis can pull themselves out of this crisis and they must do so themselves," Mr Adan said. "Now, we are ready to continue the peace process in Khartoum," Mr Ibrahim said.
In his turn, Mr Awyes said that "the speaker is performing his duty by coming here and we welcome him". Mr Adan said before the talks he believed that "Somalis can pull themselves out of this crisis and they must do so themselves".
But although these talks may be the best hope of avoiding a major conflict, Mr Adan's visit has not been welcomed by other members of the transitional government, the BBC's Africa editor David Bamford says. Mr Adan's visit has not been welcomed by other members of the transitional government, the BBC's Africa editor David Bamford says.
He says Somali President Abdullahi Yusuf sees the speaker's move as ominous, amid concerns that it may lead to a power-sharing agreement that excludes the rest of the government.He says Somali President Abdullahi Yusuf sees the speaker's move as ominous, amid concerns that it may lead to a power-sharing agreement that excludes the rest of the government.
War fearsWar fears
The transitional government is based in Baidoa, 250km (150 miles) north-west of Mogadishu but the two sides' forces are reported to be just 30km apart.The transitional government is based in Baidoa, 250km (150 miles) north-west of Mogadishu but the two sides' forces are reported to be just 30km apart.
Observers now fear a conflict which could engulf the entire region.Observers now fear a conflict which could engulf the entire region.
Ethiopia backs the government while its rival Eritrea has been accused of arming the UIC.Ethiopia backs the government while its rival Eritrea has been accused of arming the UIC.
Both countries deny reports they have troops in Somalia.Both countries deny reports they have troops in Somalia.
But Ethiopia admits having hundreds of military trainers with the government.But Ethiopia admits having hundreds of military trainers with the government.
The UIC has rapidly taken control of most of southern Somalia since seizing the capital in June.The UIC has rapidly taken control of most of southern Somalia since seizing the capital in June.
Somalia has been in the grip of warlords and militias for years and has not had a functioning national government since 1991.Somalia has been in the grip of warlords and militias for years and has not had a functioning national government since 1991.