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Somali PM to challenge dismissal Somalia's MPs back sacked premier
(30 minutes later)
Somalia's Prime Minister Nur Hassan Hussein is to address parliament to challenge his dismissal. Somalia's parliament has declared the sacking of the prime minister illegal and passed a confidence vote in him.
He says President Abdullahi Yusuf does not have the authority to sack him and the interim government. President Abdullahi Yusuf sacked Prime Minister Nur Hassan Hussein on Sunday, saying he had failed to end years of conflict in Somalia.
President Yusuf said he had sacked the government for its failure to bring security to Somalia, but promised to comply with any decision by parliament. But the president said he would comply with any decision by parliament.
African Union Commission head Jean Ping said the dismissal would undermine efforts to bring peace to the country. African Union Commission head Jean Ping condemned the dismissal and Mr Hussein said it was an attempt to derail UN-sponsored peace talks with Islamists.
Somalia has not had a functioning national government since President Mohamed Siad Barre was overthrown in 1991.Somalia has not had a functioning national government since President Mohamed Siad Barre was overthrown in 1991.
President Yusuf's administration only controls parts of the capital, Mogadishu, and the town of Baidoa after recent advances by Islamist insurgents and is dependent on international aid and Ethiopian military support to function.President Yusuf's administration only controls parts of the capital, Mogadishu, and the town of Baidoa after recent advances by Islamist insurgents and is dependent on international aid and Ethiopian military support to function.
Serious crisisSerious crisis
BBC East Africa correspondent Peter Greste says President Yusuf made a calculated gamble - that enough parliamentarians would support his move in what now appears to be a colossal battle between rival political forces.
But our correspondent says it seems the president has lost his gamble.
President Yusuf announced the dismissal of his prime minister at a news conference in Baidoa on Sunday.President Yusuf announced the dismissal of his prime minister at a news conference in Baidoa on Sunday.
The prime minister accused the president of trying to derail a UN-sponsored peace process, which aims to bring the country's moderate Islamists back into the fold.
Hardline Islamists refuse to work with the governmentLater in the day, hardline Islamist insurgent group al-Shabab held a news conference in Mogadishu vowing never to talk to the government or accept any political power-sharing.Hardline Islamists refuse to work with the governmentLater in the day, hardline Islamist insurgent group al-Shabab held a news conference in Mogadishu vowing never to talk to the government or accept any political power-sharing.
The BBC's Elizabeth Blunt in neighbouring Ethiopia says the prime minister is the one member of the government who could attract international support for the country. Correspondents say the prime minister is the one member of the government who could attract international support for the country.
Somalia is in the throes of a serious crisis, she adds. Somalia is in the throes of a serious crisis.
The Ethiopian troops which helped government troops drive Islamist forces from the capital, Mogadishu, two years ago are due to pull out in just over two weeks.The Ethiopian troops which helped government troops drive Islamist forces from the capital, Mogadishu, two years ago are due to pull out in just over two weeks.
And a small African Union peacekeeping force has indicated it would leave with the Ethiopians unless it gets reinforcements.And a small African Union peacekeeping force has indicated it would leave with the Ethiopians unless it gets reinforcements.
Somalia's two leaders had clashed in recent months over attempts to deal with the Islamist-led opposition.Somalia's two leaders had clashed in recent months over attempts to deal with the Islamist-led opposition.
The rift between the two leaders has spread to parliament, where supporters of President Yusuf have previously threatened to pass a vote of no-confidence in the prime minister.The rift between the two leaders has spread to parliament, where supporters of President Yusuf have previously threatened to pass a vote of no-confidence in the prime minister.
Mr Hussein was appointed prime minister in November 2007 to replace Ali Mohamed Ghedi, who had refused to negotiate with armed Islamists and other opposition groups.Mr Hussein was appointed prime minister in November 2007 to replace Ali Mohamed Ghedi, who had refused to negotiate with armed Islamists and other opposition groups.
Somalia has been racked by fighting between different armed groups for 17 years.Somalia has been racked by fighting between different armed groups for 17 years.
The anarchy has led to a surge in pirate attacks on international shipping off its coast.The anarchy has led to a surge in pirate attacks on international shipping off its coast.
Some three million people - around half the population - need food aid, aid agencies say.Some three million people - around half the population - need food aid, aid agencies say.