By Mohamed Olad Hassan

Mogadishu, Somalia. January 13, 2007 - As Somalia's warlords were signing a deal to lay down their weapons, six militiamen were gunned down just yards away in a dispute with government troops over a parking spot.

Their bodies were propped up against a bullet-scarred wall opposite the presidential palace Friday -- a stark reminder of the challenges facing the government as it tries to restore order and establish real authority in this fractious, heavily armed country.

The government was able to enter Mogadishu only two weeks ago after Ethiopian troops routed an Islamic movement that had controlled most of southern Somalia for the past six months.

Now it must deal with clan divisions that have spoiled the last 13 attempts to form an effective government since the last one collapsed in 1991.

Around 20,000 militiamen are believed to be in Somalia, and the country is awash with guns. Other obstacles include remnants of the Islamic movement -- some are believed to be hiding in Mogadishu -- and resentment among some Somalis of Ethiopia's intervention in the war.

The agreement reached Friday between President Abdullahi Yusuf and the clan warlords aimed to establish enough security in the capital so international peacekeepers can deploy and protect the government until it can establish an effective police force and army.

"The warlords and the government have agreed to collaborate for the restoration of peace in Somalia," said government spokesman Abdirahman Dinari.

"The agreement means they have to disarm their militia and their men have to join the national army."

One of Somalia's most powerful warlords, Mohamed Qanyare Afrah, told the Associated Press after the meeting the clans were "fed up" with guns and ready to cooperate.

But another warlord issued a warning to the government: "If the government is ready to reconcile its people and chooses the right leadership, I hope there is no need to revolt against it," said Muse Sudi Yalahow, whose fighters control northern Mogadishu.

"If they fail and lose the confidence of the people, I think they would be called new warlords."

Hours after the signing, Defense Minister Col. Barre "Hirale" Aden Shire said Ethiopian- backed government forces had captured the last remaining stronghold of the Islamic movement after five days of fighting in the southern town of Ras Kamboni.

He said Ethiopian and Somali forces chased fleeing Islamic fighters into nearby forests and the fighting would continue.

The United States, United Nations and the African Union all want to deploy peacekeepers to stop Somalia from returning to clan-based violence and anarchy.

But so far no African governments have responded to the call for an 8,000-strong peacekeeping force for the country, although Uganda has indicated it is willing to send 1,500 peacekeepers as part of a wider mission.

Late Thursday, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged the international community to redouble efforts to stabilize Somalia and reiterated his concern that U.S. attacks were harming civilians and could have "unintended consequences."

Source: AP