5 Jan 2007

The International Contact Group on Somalia has been discussing the country's future after transitional government forces regained control from Islamist militias. It comes amid fears that a long Iraq-style war could be waged by retreating Islamist fighters. The Islamists took control of the capital Mogadishu in June and imposed sharia law across much of the south.

But last week they abandoned the city in the face of advancing government and Ethiopian forces.

Now Somali's Prime Minister, Alim Mohamed Gedi, is calling for the speedy deployment of peacekeepers to stop the Islamists from mounting a resurgence.

Meanwhile, thousands of troops have been sworn-in to a newly formed Somali army. Most will have no weapons although Mogadishu is still teeming with guns.

Source: EuroNews