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US to talk to top Somali Islamist Somali airport comes under fire
(about 2 hours later)
The United States is keen to talk with Somali Islamist leader Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, says its Kenyan envoy. Four people have been injured in a mortar attack at the main airport in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu.
Michael Ranneberger told the BBC he wanted to meet the Union of Islamic Courts chairman this week, but did not disclose further details. A BBC correspondent said one person was seriously injured in the attack, moments before the arrival of a plane carrying a United Nations delegation.
Mr Ahmed surrendered to Kenyan officials near the Somali border at the weekend. It comes a day after some 200 Ethiopian troops left their base at the airport to return home after helping the government defeat Islamists last month.
The US views Mr Ahmed as a moderate who could be a force for future stability, but the interim Somali government is The US says it wants talks with a top Islamist leader in Kenyan custody.
opposed to talks with the defeated UIC. The US and the UN have both urged the Somali government to seek reconciliation with moderate Islamists, such as Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, who is the first Islamist leader to be captured since they fled an Ethiopian advance in December.
The US and the UN have both urged the Somali government to seek reconciliation with moderate Islamists, such as Mr Ahmed. But the interim government is opposed to talks with the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) who until December had ruled much of southern Somalia for six months.
Mr Ahmed is the first Somali Islamist leader to be captured since Ethiopian forces helped the government oust the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC), who had taken control of much of southern Somalia. 'Guerrilla war'
The BBC's Mohamed Olad Hassan, at the airport in Mogadishu, say it is unclear who is responsible for the attack and where it was targeted.
POSSIBLE PEACEKEEPERS Nine battalions proposed - up to 9,000 troops:Uganda: 1,500 troops offered, subject to parliamentary approvalMalawi: Up to 1,000 troops offeredTanzania: ConsideringNigeria: ConsideringRwanda: ConsideringSouth Africa: Considering but forces stretchedPOSSIBLE PEACEKEEPERS Nine battalions proposed - up to 9,000 troops:Uganda: 1,500 troops offered, subject to parliamentary approvalMalawi: Up to 1,000 troops offeredTanzania: ConsideringNigeria: ConsideringRwanda: ConsideringSouth Africa: Considering but forces stretched
But the government says some 3,500 Islamist fighters remain in Mogadishu. "Several mortar shells landed at the Mogadishu International Airport and dozens of people who were in the airports grounds fled amid fears of more attacks," witness Ahmed Hersi told the French news agency, AFP.
The Islamists who fled Mogadishu have threatened to wage a guerrilla war against the transitional government and Ethiopian troops.
The government says as many as 3,500 Islamist fighters may still be in Mogadishu.
Government support
US ambassador to Kenya Michael Ranneberger told the BBC he wanted to meet Mr Ahmed, who is regarded by the US as a moderate, this week.
The US says Somalia's government should talk to Mr Ahmed
The UIC chairman surrendered to Kenyan officials near the Somali border at the weekend.
Mr Ranneberger said Washington wants to seek the views of all Somalis in an effort to help in the reconstruction of the country.Mr Ranneberger said Washington wants to seek the views of all Somalis in an effort to help in the reconstruction of the country.
Ambassador Ranneberger is expected to urge Mr Ahmed to counsel his supporters not to carry out violence and to support the development of an inclusive government based on the Transitional Federal Charter at the planned meeting.Ambassador Ranneberger is expected to urge Mr Ahmed to counsel his supporters not to carry out violence and to support the development of an inclusive government based on the Transitional Federal Charter at the planned meeting.
Mr Ahmed is believed to be staying in a Nairobi hotel. Mr Ahmed is believed to be staying in a Nairobi hotel under armed guard.
The US backed Ethiopia's intervention and has committed over $40m for development, humanitarian and peacekeeping support to Somalia this year.The US backed Ethiopia's intervention and has committed over $40m for development, humanitarian and peacekeeping support to Somalia this year.
On Monday, the first 200 Ethiopian soldiers left Mogadishu's airport following a withdrawal ceremony.On Monday, the first 200 Ethiopian soldiers left Mogadishu's airport following a withdrawal ceremony.
Ethiopia is determined to pull its troops out as soon as possible, but plans for an African Union force to help ensure peace are still to be finalised, with only Malawi and Uganda offering troops so far.Ethiopia is determined to pull its troops out as soon as possible, but plans for an African Union force to help ensure peace are still to be finalised, with only Malawi and Uganda offering troops so far.