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Somalia's Islamists battle crime Somalia's Islamists battle crime
(10 minutes later)
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.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 Union of Islamic Courts has banned the sale and use of the stimulant khat, during the holy month of Ramadan.The Union of Islamic Courts has banned the sale and use of the stimulant khat, during the holy month of Ramadan.
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 execution was the first since the UIC seized the capital in June. Hundreds turned out to witness a 25-year-old man shot by firing squad.
The Islamist group denies US charges that they are linked to al-Qaeda.The Islamist group denies US charges that they are linked to al-Qaeda.
Many Somali men, especially militiamen, spend hours chewing khat.Many Somali men, especially militiamen, spend hours chewing khat.
Unlike their secular rivals, Islamist gunmen are not allowed to chew khat. The militia had their faces covered and they fired until Abdulkadir was dead Witness Ahmed Mukhtar Unlike their secular rivals, Islamist gunmen are not allowed to chew khat.
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.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.
'Painful'
Abdulkadir Mohamed Diriye was executed after being convicted of killing a businessman while stealing his mobile phone.
"The militia had their faces covered and they fired until Abdulkadir was dead," witness Ahmed Mukhtar told the AFP news agency.
"It was very scary to see a person killed," said another witness, Amina Osman.
"It was violent but Abdlkadir killed someone while robbing him. The Koran says justice is the only solution even if it is painful."
The UIC have carried out several public floggings, mostly of cannabis dealers.The UIC have carried out several public floggings, mostly of cannabis dealers.
The courts are divided between moderates and hardliners who want to set up a Taleban-style state.The courts are divided between moderates and hardliners who want to set up a Taleban-style state.
Some cinemas have also been closed down for showing foreign football matches and films.Some cinemas have also been closed down for showing foreign football matches and films.
Security has improved in the city and the UIC say there is no need for foreign peacekeepers.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.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.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.