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Somali Islamist leader not killed | Somali Islamist leader not killed |
(3 days later) | |
Hardline Islamist opposition leader Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys has scoffed at claims he was killed in fighting between rival Islamist groups. | Hardline Islamist opposition leader Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys has scoffed at claims he was killed in fighting between rival Islamist groups. |
"You see that I am physically healthy and fit. No injuries at all," he told a news conference in Mogadishu, reported Reuters news agency. | "You see that I am physically healthy and fit. No injuries at all," he told a news conference in Mogadishu, reported Reuters news agency. |
He dismissed weekend reports that he had been wounded as enemy propaganda. | He dismissed weekend reports that he had been wounded as enemy propaganda. |
Mr Aweys, who is on US and UN terrorism lists, wants to oust the government and impose a stricter form of Islamic law. | Mr Aweys, who is on US and UN terrorism lists, wants to oust the government and impose a stricter form of Islamic law. |
A pro-government militia claimed on Saturday that Mr Aweys had died during fierce battles for the town of Webho, which has changed hands several times during fighting in recent weeks. | A pro-government militia claimed on Saturday that Mr Aweys had died during fierce battles for the town of Webho, which has changed hands several times during fighting in recent weeks. |
This holy war will not stop until foreign forces leave and Sharia is implemented Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys href="/2/hi/africa/8077725.stm">Somali rage at grave desecration | |
Mr Aweys also repeated his call for African Union peacekeepers to leave the country. | Mr Aweys also repeated his call for African Union peacekeepers to leave the country. |
"This war is a holy war and will not stop until foreign forces leave the country and Sharia is implemented," he said, reported AFP news agency. | "This war is a holy war and will not stop until foreign forces leave the country and Sharia is implemented," he said, reported AFP news agency. |
Mr Aweys - who returned to Somalia from exile in April - is a leader in a hardline Islamist alliance which controls much of southern and central Somalia. | Mr Aweys - who returned to Somalia from exile in April - is a leader in a hardline Islamist alliance which controls much of southern and central Somalia. |
His former ally, Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed - who was installed as president in January after a UN-brokered peace deal - has already introduced Sharia law, but the rebels say it is not a rigorous enough version. | His former ally, Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed - who was installed as president in January after a UN-brokered peace deal - has already introduced Sharia law, but the rebels say it is not a rigorous enough version. |
Moqtar Mohamed Hirabe was shot several times in the chest and head | Moqtar Mohamed Hirabe was shot several times in the chest and head |
During fighting on Sunday, gunmen killed the director of influential Radio Shabelle in Mogadishu. | During fighting on Sunday, gunmen killed the director of influential Radio Shabelle in Mogadishu. |
Some reports suggested Moqtar Mohamed Hirabe may have been killed by members of Mr Aweys' militia, angered at the reports their leader had been wounded. | Some reports suggested Moqtar Mohamed Hirabe may have been killed by members of Mr Aweys' militia, angered at the reports their leader had been wounded. |
Mr Hirabe, 48, was shot several times in the chest and head. A colleague was also injured. | Mr Hirabe, 48, was shot several times in the chest and head. A colleague was also injured. |
Fighting between the opposition and pro-government forces has been intense - close to 100,000 people have had to flee their homes over the past month. | Fighting between the opposition and pro-government forces has been intense - close to 100,000 people have had to flee their homes over the past month. |
Somalia has not had a functioning national government for 18 years. | Somalia has not had a functioning national government for 18 years. |
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