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Somali rivals ready for showdown Battle erupts in Somali capital
(about 8 hours later)
Ethiopian troops are on patrol outside Somalia's parliament in Baidoa, as a showdown looms over the future of Prime Minister Ali Mohammed Ghedi. A major gun battle has broken out in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, as MPs meet in the central city of Baidoa to consider the future of the government.
President Abdullahi Yusuf wants Mr Ghedi removed from office after growing political differences. A BBC correspondent in Mogadishu says it is some of the heaviest fighting since Islamists were ousted by Ethiopian-backed troops in December.
The two leaders have been lobbying for support among MPs for the past week ahead of the debate in parliament. He says insurgents may be angry at the attention given to the fallout between the president and his prime minister.
Somalia has seen a violent surge since the Islamists were ousted last December by Ethiopian-backed government forces. President Abdullahi Yusuf wants parliament to sack the prime minister.
President Yusuf and his allies argue say that Mr Ghedi's term has expired according to the federal charter - but the prime minister disputes this. I have talked to them and asked them to remain together UN envoy Ahmedou Ould Abdallah class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/7042317.stm">Political swords are drawn Despite having international support, diplomats argue that the transitional government has failed to set up institutions to reconstruct the country. Mr Yusuf and Prime Minister Ali Mohammed Ghedi have been lobbying for support among MPs for the past week ahead of the debate in parliament.
UN special envoy for Somalia, Ahmedou Ould Abdallah, has warned that the move may derail the peace process. Both men ascended to power with the backing of Ethiopia but have fallen out over reports that they favoured rival concerns interested in oil exploration contracts.
"I have talked to them and asked them to remain together for the sake of the peacebuilding in Somalia but if it is impossible they should part peacefully," Mr Abdallah told the BBC's Network Africa programme. Surprise
President Yusuf and Mr Ghedi both ascended to power with the backing of Ethiopia but have fallen out over reports that they favoured rival concerns interested in oil exploration contracts. Ethiopian troops are on patrol outside Somalia's parliament in Baidoa, as the parliamentary showdown looms.
I have talked to them and asked them to remain together UN envoy Ahmedou Ould Abdallah Political swords are drawn
The BBC's Mohammed Olad Hassan in Mogadishu says the insecurity had shifted to Baidoa until the insurgents attacked a police station near the main market of Bakara on Tuesday evening.
He says the attack has taken people by surprise.
A rocket-propelled grenade hit a group of people as they were having tea.
At least 10 people have been wounded and at least five people, including two civilians, have died in the fighting so far, he said.
The insurgents are heavily armed and have managed to push back government troops even after they received reinforcements.
Meanwhile in Baidoa, where the parliament sits, a vote of confidence has yet to be debated.
Mr Yusuf (l) and his prime minister (r) no longer see eye to eye
But analysts say the crisis threatens to leave Somalia with two governments.
President Yusuf and his allies argue that Mr Ghedi's term has expired according to the federal charter - but the prime minister disputes this.
Despite having international support, diplomats argue that the transitional government has failed to set up institutions to reconstruct the country.
The UN's special envoy for Somalia, Ahmedou Ould Abdallah, has warned that the move may derail the peace process.
"I have talked to them and asked them to remain together for the sake of the peace building in Somalia but if it is impossible they should part peacefully," Mr Abdallah told the BBC's Network Africa programme.