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Terror suspect 'alive in Somalia' Terror suspect 'alive in Somalia'
(40 minutes later)
A key al-Qaeda suspect was not killed during Monday's air strike in southern Somalia, the United States ambassador to Kenya has told the BBC. A key al-Qaeda suspect was not killed during Monday's air strike in southern Somalia, the top United States diplomat in the region has told the BBC.
Somali officials had said that Fazul Abdullah Mohammed, accused of masterminding the 1998 bomb attacks on US embassies in East Africa, was dead.Somali officials had said that Fazul Abdullah Mohammed, accused of masterminding the 1998 bomb attacks on US embassies in East Africa, was dead.
Ambassador Michael Ranneberger also strongly denied reports that a number of civilians had died in the attack.Ambassador Michael Ranneberger also strongly denied reports that a number of civilians had died in the attack.
The US says it carried out the air strikes to target al-Qaeda suspects.The US says it carried out the air strikes to target al-Qaeda suspects.
There has been considerable criticism of the US after its first overt military action in Somalia since 1994.There has been considerable criticism of the US after its first overt military action in Somalia since 1994.
Location of militias and US Navy patrols Location of militias and US Navy patrols
Washington has dismissed the criticism, saying it was necessary to defend the US and the international community from further al-Qaeda attacks.Washington has dismissed the criticism, saying it was necessary to defend the US and the international community from further al-Qaeda attacks.
Kenyan intelligence sources said on Wednesday that Fazul Abdullah Mohammed's wife and the wife of Saleh Ali Saleh Nabhan, also wanted by the FBI for an attack in East Africa in 2002, had been arrested in Kenya after fleeing the coastal Somali town of Ras Kamboni.Kenyan intelligence sources said on Wednesday that Fazul Abdullah Mohammed's wife and the wife of Saleh Ali Saleh Nabhan, also wanted by the FBI for an attack in East Africa in 2002, had been arrested in Kenya after fleeing the coastal Somali town of Ras Kamboni.
A local Somali MP said 27 civilians died in recent air strikes near Afmadow.A local Somali MP said 27 civilians died in recent air strikes near Afmadow.
But Mr Ranneberger, ambassador to Kenya, who is also responsible for Somalia, denied this.
"It's been troubling to see these reports about bombing and all these activities killing civilians, I can tell you categorically that no civilians were killed or injured as a result of that action," he said.
'Inclusive government''Inclusive government'
Residents of Afmadow town and Ras Kamboni reported further attacks on Tuesday and Wednesday but Mr Ranneberger said these had not been carried out by US forces.Residents of Afmadow town and Ras Kamboni reported further attacks on Tuesday and Wednesday but Mr Ranneberger said these had not been carried out by US forces.
HAVE YOUR SAY I cannot believe the US has launched air strikes against Somalia Nimco Hussein Send us your comments Key bombing suspects Twin US aims in SomaliaHAVE YOUR SAY I cannot believe the US has launched air strikes against Somalia Nimco Hussein Send us your comments Key bombing suspects Twin US aims in Somalia
Reports suggest Ethiopian MiG fighters and helicopter gunships seen in the city of Kismayo may be involved.Reports suggest Ethiopian MiG fighters and helicopter gunships seen in the city of Kismayo may be involved.
Ethiopian forces have been at the forefront of the drive against Somalia's Islamists, who deny charges they had been sheltering al-Qaeda operatives.Ethiopian forces have been at the forefront of the drive against Somalia's Islamists, who deny charges they had been sheltering al-Qaeda operatives.
The Islamists took control of much of southern Somalia last year before being routed by Ethiopian and Somali government forces in recent weeks.The Islamists took control of much of southern Somalia last year before being routed by Ethiopian and Somali government forces in recent weeks.
Mr Ranneberger also said the US would support an all-inclusive Somali government and would welcome moderate Islamists participating in the process, as long as they rejected violence. Mr Ranneberger also said the US would support moderate Islamists participating in a Somali government of national unity, as long as they rejected violence.
"We think that all Somalis who renounce violence and extremism have a role to play in the future of the country," he said.
BodiesBodies
On Wednesday, Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said several terror suspects had been either killed or captured in the strikes.On Wednesday, Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said several terror suspects had been either killed or captured in the strikes.
He told reporters Ethiopian forces had gone to the scene of Monday's US raid and collected the dead and wounded.He told reporters Ethiopian forces had gone to the scene of Monday's US raid and collected the dead and wounded.
He said those killed "may have involved very senior Islamist court leaders".He said those killed "may have involved very senior Islamist court leaders".
The UK Foreign Office is currently investigating reports that Britons are among those killed in the fighting after Somali officials said they had found a variety of international passports on the bodies of dead Islamist fighters.The UK Foreign Office is currently investigating reports that Britons are among those killed in the fighting after Somali officials said they had found a variety of international passports on the bodies of dead Islamist fighters.
The United Nations Security Council on Wednesday again backed plans to send African peacekeepers into Somalia to help protect the transitional government, enabling Ethiopian forces to withdraw.The United Nations Security Council on Wednesday again backed plans to send African peacekeepers into Somalia to help protect the transitional government, enabling Ethiopian forces to withdraw.
The initiative was agreed before the Union of Islamic Courts' militia were ousted by Ethiopian-backed government forces.The initiative was agreed before the Union of Islamic Courts' militia were ousted by Ethiopian-backed government forces.
The Security Council also supported sending a UN humanitarian mission to the Kenya-Somalia border.The Security Council also supported sending a UN humanitarian mission to the Kenya-Somalia border.
Aid workers report that more 1,000 people have been wounded since fighting erupted in December.Aid workers report that more 1,000 people have been wounded since fighting erupted in December.
However, there is no reliable information on casualties in the current fighting in the remote south.However, there is no reliable information on casualties in the current fighting in the remote south.
Correspondents say the situation on the ground in southern Somalia remains unclear, with communications in the area poor.Correspondents say the situation on the ground in southern Somalia remains unclear, with communications in the area poor.
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