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| Crisis talks on Somalia under way | Crisis talks on Somalia under way |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Diplomatic efforts to establish a peacekeeping force for Somalia have begun in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi. | Diplomatic efforts to establish a peacekeeping force for Somalia have begun in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi. |
| US, European and African Union envoys are examining options with leaders of Somalia's transitional government. | US, European and African Union envoys are examining options with leaders of Somalia's transitional government. |
| In Somalia itself, government forces backed by Ethiopian troops have been fighting hundreds of fleeing Islamist militiamen close to the Kenyan border. | In Somalia itself, government forces backed by Ethiopian troops have been fighting hundreds of fleeing Islamist militiamen close to the Kenyan border. |
| A message purported to be from an al-Qaeda leader urged the Islamist militias to fight "crusaders". | |
| The talks come amid fears that a protracted Iraq-style guerrilla war could be launched by the retreating Islamists, says the BBC's Karen Allen in Nairobi. | The talks come amid fears that a protracted Iraq-style guerrilla war could be launched by the retreating Islamists, says the BBC's Karen Allen in Nairobi. |
| Location of militias and US Navy patrols | Location of militias and US Navy patrols |
| The US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Jendayi Frazer, was attending the discussions in Kenya, alongside the Somali President, Abdullahi Yusuf, and other international representatives. | The US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Jendayi Frazer, was attending the discussions in Kenya, alongside the Somali President, Abdullahi Yusuf, and other international representatives. |
| The issue of securing a peacekeeping force for Somalia is likely to dominate the talks, our correspondent says. | The issue of securing a peacekeeping force for Somalia is likely to dominate the talks, our correspondent says. |
| I speak to you today as the crusader invader forces of Ethiopia violate the soil of the beloved Muslim Somalia... Ayman al-Zawahri Fragile peace fuels fears African press frets | I speak to you today as the crusader invader forces of Ethiopia violate the soil of the beloved Muslim Somalia... Ayman al-Zawahri Fragile peace fuels fears African press frets |
| Ethiopia's Prime Minister, Meles Zenawi, has said he wants his heavily armed forces - which are supporting Somali soldiers against the Islamists - out of the country in a matter of weeks. | Ethiopia's Prime Minister, Meles Zenawi, has said he wants his heavily armed forces - which are supporting Somali soldiers against the Islamists - out of the country in a matter of weeks. |
| Meanwhile, an audio message said to be from al-Qaeda's number two, Egyptian-born Ayman al-Zawahri, called for the Islamists to use guerrilla tactics in Somalia. | Meanwhile, an audio message said to be from al-Qaeda's number two, Egyptian-born Ayman al-Zawahri, called for the Islamists to use guerrilla tactics in Somalia. |
| "I speak to you today as the crusader invader forces of Ethiopia violate the soil of the beloved Muslim Somalia," the five-minute tape posted on a website used by militants said. | "I speak to you today as the crusader invader forces of Ethiopia violate the soil of the beloved Muslim Somalia," the five-minute tape posted on a website used by militants said. |
| "I call upon the Muslim nation in Somalia to remain in the new battlefield that is one of the crusader battlefields that are being launched by America and its allies and the United Nations against Islam and Muslims." | "I call upon the Muslim nation in Somalia to remain in the new battlefield that is one of the crusader battlefields that are being launched by America and its allies and the United Nations against Islam and Muslims." |
| News agencies said the authenticity of the tape could not be immediately verified. | News agencies said the authenticity of the tape could not be immediately verified. |
| Regional peacekeeping | Regional peacekeeping |
| The EU's Javier Solana told the BBC that the EU was closely monitoring the situation. | The EU's Javier Solana told the BBC that the EU was closely monitoring the situation. |
| "We would like to see a government as inclusive as possible and, at the same time, troops from Ethiopia will have to slowly withdraw and be substituted either by troops from the AU or eventually by troops from the UN," he said. | "We would like to see a government as inclusive as possible and, at the same time, troops from Ethiopia will have to slowly withdraw and be substituted either by troops from the AU or eventually by troops from the UN," he said. |
| SOMALIA IN NUMBERS Ethiopia troops: 8,000-15,000Government troops: 10,000Islamists: 600 near Kenyan border; 3,500 around MogadishuRecently displaced: 30,000Refugees in Kenya: 160,000 Estimated numbers Sources: Somali government, UN, correspondents | SOMALIA IN NUMBERS Ethiopia troops: 8,000-15,000Government troops: 10,000Islamists: 600 near Kenyan border; 3,500 around MogadishuRecently displaced: 30,000Refugees in Kenya: 160,000 Estimated numbers Sources: Somali government, UN, correspondents |
| He also said that financing for the AU was a difficult issue which needed the engagement of the international community. | He also said that financing for the AU was a difficult issue which needed the engagement of the international community. |
| The UN secretary general, Ban Ki-Moon, has said African peacekeepers should be sent in. | The UN secretary general, Ban Ki-Moon, has said African peacekeepers should be sent in. |
| Meanwhile, Ms Frazer has indicated that the US government would be on hand to assist in any regional peacekeeping effort. | Meanwhile, Ms Frazer has indicated that the US government would be on hand to assist in any regional peacekeeping effort. |
| But our correspondent says the US is treading carefully. It was blamed for backing the warlords who until last June ruled for 15 violent years. | But our correspondent says the US is treading carefully. It was blamed for backing the warlords who until last June ruled for 15 violent years. |
| In Addis Ababa, Uganda and Ethiopia are discussing the deployment of peacekeepers with the AU. | In Addis Ababa, Uganda and Ethiopia are discussing the deployment of peacekeepers with the AU. |
| Weapons demand | Weapons demand |
| Meanwhile, Kenya's government has shut its border with Somalia, despite criticism from the United Nations' refugee agency. | Meanwhile, Kenya's government has shut its border with Somalia, despite criticism from the United Nations' refugee agency. |
| US naval forces are deployed off the Somali coast to prevent leaders of the UIC escaping. | US naval forces are deployed off the Somali coast to prevent leaders of the UIC escaping. |
| Interim Prime Minister Ali Mohammed Ghedi is reported to have said forcible disarmament will begin in Mogadishu at the weekend. | Interim Prime Minister Ali Mohammed Ghedi is reported to have said forcible disarmament will begin in Mogadishu at the weekend. |
| Few residents have responded to a call to disarm and the demand for AK-47 rifles, hand grenades and land mines has risen. In a city of two million people, there are an estimated one million weapons. | Few residents have responded to a call to disarm and the demand for AK-47 rifles, hand grenades and land mines has risen. In a city of two million people, there are an estimated one million weapons. |
| Return to top | Return to top |