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US slams Somali speaker's sacking US slams Somali speaker's sacking
(about 1 hour later)
Senior US diplomat Jendayi Frazer has criticised a move by Somalia's parliament to sack its speaker.Senior US diplomat Jendayi Frazer has criticised a move by Somalia's parliament to sack its speaker.
Sharif Hassan Sheikh Adan was removed for having unauthorised talks with the Islamists, who controlled much of southern Somalia until last month.Sharif Hassan Sheikh Adan was removed for having unauthorised talks with the Islamists, who controlled much of southern Somalia until last month.
He also opposed Ethiopia's intervention to help drive the Islamists out.He also opposed Ethiopia's intervention to help drive the Islamists out.
Ms Frazer said that a spirit of reconciliation was needed in Somalia, and the no-confidence motion was likely to have a negative impact on dialogue.Ms Frazer said that a spirit of reconciliation was needed in Somalia, and the no-confidence motion was likely to have a negative impact on dialogue.
Last week, the US launched air strikes in the far south of Somalia against the routed Islamist group, who they accuse of harbouring al-Qaeda members suspected of bombing US embassies in East Africa and a 2002 attack on Israeli targets in Kenya.Last week, the US launched air strikes in the far south of Somalia against the routed Islamist group, who they accuse of harbouring al-Qaeda members suspected of bombing US embassies in East Africa and a 2002 attack on Israeli targets in Kenya.
The Islamists denied they were sheltering senior al-Qaeda operatives. To see the president in Villa Somalia is a very important step Francois FallUN envoy to Somalia class="" href="/1/hi/talking_point/6268335.stm">Somali viewpoints class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/3663602.stm">Profile: Ousted speaker The Islamists denied they were sheltering senior al-Qaeda operatives.
'Leave the past'
Mr Adan had fallen out with both the interim president and the prime minister over recent developments in Somalia.Mr Adan had fallen out with both the interim president and the prime minister over recent developments in Somalia.
But Ms Frazer said the past had to be left behind.But Ms Frazer said the past had to be left behind.
"The symbol of the president and the prime minister combining to push him out is counter to that spirit of reconciliation," the US assistant secretary of state for African affairs told a conference in Washington on the Somali crisis."The symbol of the president and the prime minister combining to push him out is counter to that spirit of reconciliation," the US assistant secretary of state for African affairs told a conference in Washington on the Somali crisis.
The government is trying to restore order in Mogadishu"Going forward requires one thing, it requires reconciliation." "Going forward requires one thing, it requires reconciliation."
Mr Adan, currently on a tour of Europe, said the Ethiopian occupation meant decisions by MPs were null and void.Mr Adan, currently on a tour of Europe, said the Ethiopian occupation meant decisions by MPs were null and void.
Ethiopia is estimated to have some 8,000 troops in Somalia help, which it is keen to remove as soon as possible.Ethiopia is estimated to have some 8,000 troops in Somalia help, which it is keen to remove as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, UN envoy Francois Lonseny Fall has flown to the capital, Mogadishu, for discussions with President Abdullahi Yusuf. Peacekeeping
"We are going to discuss issues including reconciliation and dialogue and see how we can work together for the successful deployment of African peacekeeping troops," he told reporters, AP news agency reports. Meanwhile, UN envoy Francois Lonseny Fall has held discussions with President Abdullahi Yusuf in the capital, Mogadishu.
"To see the president in Villa Somalia [the official residence of Somali presidents] is a very important step. We have to move step by step and we need all efforts to get this country rebuilt," he told reporters, AP news agency reports.
The government is trying to restore order in Mogadishu
Mr Yusuf went to Mogadishu last week, for the first time since being elected in 2004.
Regional diplomats are trying muster enough troops for an 8,000-strong African force for Somalia.Regional diplomats are trying muster enough troops for an 8,000-strong African force for Somalia.
So far only Uganda has agreed to provide peacekeepers.So far only Uganda has agreed to provide peacekeepers.
On Tuesday, the leaders of Ethiopia and Kenya said several African countries had offered to contribute troops to the force.On Tuesday, the leaders of Ethiopia and Kenya said several African countries had offered to contribute troops to the force.
Both South Africa and Tanzania have said it is too early to decide whether they will contribute troops to the proposed African peacekeeping force.Both South Africa and Tanzania have said it is too early to decide whether they will contribute troops to the proposed African peacekeeping force.
The South African deputy foreign minister, Aziz Pahad, said in a BBC interview that while the need was urgent, his country's armed forces were already over-stretched, with a number of peacekeeping missions in Africa.The South African deputy foreign minister, Aziz Pahad, said in a BBC interview that while the need was urgent, his country's armed forces were already over-stretched, with a number of peacekeeping missions in Africa.
Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete earlier told the BBC that any troop deployment must first be discussed with military leaders.Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete earlier told the BBC that any troop deployment must first be discussed with military leaders.