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More shooting in Somali capital Somali Islamists want peace talks
(about 1 hour later)
The Somali capital, Mogadishu, is calm after overnight shooting and more attacks on Ethiopian troops by unidentified gunmen. Islamist leaders, who fled after their defeat by Ethiopian forces and interim government soldiers are reported to be in Yemen and keen for peace talks.
At the weekend, protests over the presence of Ethiopian forces backing the interim government turned to violence leaving two dead in Mogadishu. A spokesman said they wanted to negotiate a political settlement with the transitional government of Somalia.
It is unclear if the gunmen are linked to Islamists who threatened an insurgency after their recent defeat. Diplomats are discussing an African peacekeeping force, with Ethiopians keen to leave within weeks.
The government is discussing moving to the capital, to avert a power vacuum. More shooting was reported in the capital, overnight, after two died in anti-Ethiopian protests on Saturday.
US Assistant Secretary of State Jendayi Frazer has concluded her tour of Somalia's neighbours, saying five countries from the region have been identified to supply peacekeeping troops for Somalia. Somalia's prime minister Mohammed Ali Ghedi is now back in Mogadishu as discussions continue about the government basing itself there to try and avert a power vacuum.
On her last day Ms Frazer held talks with leaders of the Somali transitional government and the speaker of national assembly.
Location of militias and US Navy patrols Location of militias and US Navy patrols
In addition, a deadline given to a group of Somali MPs who have been staying in Kenya to leave the country expires on Monday. It is unclear if the gunmen are linked to the Islamists, who threatened an Iraq-style insurgency.
'Reconciliation' Many Islamist fighters went into hiding, though fighting is still being reported near the Kenyan border at Ras Kamboni.
Speaker of the transitional parliament, Sharif Hassan Sheikh Adan, has said he will try to persuade the ousted leaders of the Union of Islamic Courts to join in a national reconciliation process. Talks
"I don't know exactly where they are, but wherever they are - I will call them to peace I'm ready to persuade them; that's what I want." Yemeni Foreign Minister Abu Bakar al-Qurabi says that several ousted leaders of the Union of Islamic Courts managed to escape to Yemen - though the whereabouts of the UIC's main leaders remains unclear.
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 Fragile peace fuels fears African press frets However, other Somali leaders are unconvinced. 		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 Fragile peace fuels fears African press frets
UIC spokesman Ibrahim Hassan Adow said from Yemen that they were "determined to find solutions".
US Assistant Secretary of State Jendayi Frazer concluded her tour of Somalia's neighbours, calling on all Somalis to take part in the peace process - a comment taken to include moderate Islamists.
"We've made clear that we see a role in a future Somalia for all who renounce violence and extremism," she said.
Speaker of the transitional parliament, Sharif Hassan Sheikh Adan, has said he will try to persuade UIC leaders to join a national reconciliation process.
However, other Somali leaders are unconvinced.
They say the transitional government, incorporating all the main clan factions - is already inclusive enough and they say the UIC is now irrelevant and defunct.They say the transitional government, incorporating all the main clan factions - is already inclusive enough and they say the UIC is now irrelevant and defunct.
The Islamists have threatened an Iraq-style insurgency war. Violence
On Saturday, security forces fired in the air to disperse crowds, as youths burnt tyres and threw stones, witnesses said.On Saturday, security forces fired in the air to disperse crowds, as youths burnt tyres and threw stones, witnesses said.
At least two civilians were killed, including a 13-year-old boy, and several others injured by gunfire, but it was not clear who was responsible. At least two civilians were killed and several others injured by gunfire, but it was not clear who was responsible.
Another protest was held in the town of Beledweyne, near the border with Ethiopia, where one death was reported. Another protest was held in the town of Beledweyne, near the border with Ethiopia, with one death reported.
The protests came as the government indefinitely postponed a forcible disarmament programme in the capital.The protests came as the government indefinitely postponed a forcible disarmament programme in the capital.
'Real chance''Real chance'
On Friday, Somali interim President Abdullahi Yusuf called for a "speedy deployment" of an African Union peacekeeping force, agreed by the UN Security Council before the current hostilities. The African Union's peace and security council meet shortly, to discuss a peacekeeping force, agreed by the UN Security Council before the current hostilities.
Speaking at a Nairobi meeting, he said there was a rare chance for a real political breakthrough in Somalia, plagued by violence for 15 years.
The US has agreed to provide $10m (£5.2m) towards the funding of the 8,000-strong peacekeeping force - part of $40m pledged to support Somalia's efforts to restore stability.The US has agreed to provide $10m (£5.2m) towards the funding of the 8,000-strong peacekeeping force - part of $40m pledged to support Somalia's efforts to restore stability.
Ethiopia's Prime Minister, Meles Zenawi, has said he wants his forces out of the country in a matter of weeks.Ethiopia's Prime Minister, Meles Zenawi, has said he wants his forces out of the country in a matter of weeks.
Kenya's government has shut its border with Somalia, despite criticism from the United Nations' refugee agency.Kenya's government has shut its border with Somalia, despite criticism from the United Nations' refugee agency.
In addition, a deadline given to a group of Somali MPs who have been staying in Kenya to leave the country expires on Monday.
The 20 MPs are opposed to the presence of Ethiopian forces in Somalia.
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