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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Islamists seize Somali MPs' base | Islamists seize Somali MPs' base |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Islamist insurgents have captured most of Somalia's central city of Baidoa - one of the last strongholds of the fragile transitional government. | Islamist insurgents have captured most of Somalia's central city of Baidoa - one of the last strongholds of the fragile transitional government. |
| Officials and witnesses say Islamists have seized the parliament building in the city, some 250km (155 miles) north-west of the capital Mogadishu. | Officials and witnesses say Islamists have seized the parliament building in the city, some 250km (155 miles) north-west of the capital Mogadishu. |
| Some reports say the presidential palace is also under their control. | Some reports say the presidential palace is also under their control. |
| The MPs are currently meeting in neighbouring Djibouti, where they are due to elect a new president this week. | The MPs are currently meeting in neighbouring Djibouti, where they are due to elect a new president this week. |
| They have voted to expand parliament to bring some 200 moderate Islamists into parliament. | |
| They are also expected to vote on whether to delay the presidential election, which is currently due before Wednesday. | |
| Negotiations | Negotiations |
| Islamist insurgents from the al-Shabab group entered Baidoa from two different directions on Monday, officials say. | Islamist insurgents from the al-Shabab group entered Baidoa from two different directions on Monday, officials say. |
| There were reports of heavy fighting in the city. | There were reports of heavy fighting in the city. |
| Eyewitnesses said the militants were later seen on the streets of Baidoa, shouting "Allahu Akbar! [God is Great!]". | Eyewitnesses said the militants were later seen on the streets of Baidoa, shouting "Allahu Akbar! [God is Great!]". |
| Negotiations are now under way between the militants and representatives of the transitional government to try to find a peaceful settlement. | Negotiations are now under way between the militants and representatives of the transitional government to try to find a peaceful settlement. |
| There has been widespread looting in Baidoa since the last Ethiopian troops pulled out overnight. | There has been widespread looting in Baidoa since the last Ethiopian troops pulled out overnight. |
| The Ethiopian troops withdrew after two years of battling Islamist insurgents. | The Ethiopian troops withdrew after two years of battling Islamist insurgents. |
| Some 16,000 civilians have been killed in the conflict and a million more have been forced from their homes. | Some 16,000 civilians have been killed in the conflict and a million more have been forced from their homes. |
| Somalia has not had an effective national government since 1991, since when various militias have been battling for control. | Somalia has not had an effective national government since 1991, since when various militias have been battling for control. |