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Somali Islamists eye Kenya border Somalia's Islamists battle crime
(about 1 hour later)
The Islamists who control much of southern Somalia say they will seize the area near the Kenyan border, seen as a move to block peacekeepers. Somalia's Islamic courts have banned a popular local drug and executed a convicted murdered in a sign of their tight grip on the capital, Mogadishu.
The area, which includes the port of Kismayo, is run by a warlord who is a minister in the interim government. The Union of Islamic Courts has banned the sale and use of the stimulant khat, during the holy month of Ramadan.
Any Islamist advance would appear to break the terms of a truce agreed with the government. The UIC has also carried out its first execution since seizing the capital in June. Hundreds turned out to witness a man shot by firing squad.
The African Union says it will send peacekeepers to Somalia, following a request by the weak government. The Islamist group denies US charges that they are linked to al-Qaeda.
We will close our border with Kenya and we have every right to do that Yusuf IndahaaddeUIC national security chairman The government of President Abdullahi Yusuf only controls a small area, around the town of Baidoa, 250km (155 miles) from the capital, Mogadishu, which is controlled by the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC). Many Somali men, especially militiamen, spend hours chewing khat.
On Monday, President Yusuf survived an assassination attempt in Baidoa. His younger brother was among five people killed in the bomb attack. Unlike their secular rivals, Islamist gunmen are not allowed to chew khat.
Some ministers have blamed the UIC but they have denied responsibility and condemned the attack. But the BBC's Mohammed Olad Hassan says it is still openly on sale in Mogadishu as the Muslim holy month has not yet started.
Peace talks The UIC have carried out several public floggings, mostly of cannabis dealers.
The AFP news agency reports that Kismayo is already surrounded by UIC forces, who are trying to negotiate a peaceful transfer of control from warlord Barre Hiraale. The courts are divided between moderates and hardliners who want to set up a Taleban-style state.
"We shall go to Kismayo. Nothing can stop us from going into it," said UIC national security chairman Yusuf Indahaadde. Some cinemas have also been closed down for showing foreign football matches and films.
"We will close our border with Kenya and we have every right to do that." Security has improved in the city and the UIC say there is no need for foreign peacekeepers.
The African Union has agreed to a request from the weak interim government based in Baidoa, 250km from Mogadishu, to send peacekeepers.
On Friday, Islamist supporters again held a protest against the idea.
The UIC and the government are due to hold talks in Sudan later this month aimed at preventing conflict.The UIC and the government are due to hold talks in Sudan later this month aimed at preventing conflict.
The UIC seized Mogadishu and surrounding areas from an alliance of warlords in June.The UIC seized Mogadishu and surrounding areas from an alliance of warlords in June.
Security has improved in the city and the UIC say there is no need for foreign peacekeepers.
The US accuses the UIC of having links to al-Qaeda - an accusation denied by the Islamists.
Uganda is one of the countries to have volunteered to send peacekeepers to Somalia.