A top UN envoy today flew to the Somali capital to discuss plans for an African peacekeeping force with President Abdullahi Yusuf as well as reconciliation among Somalis, a day after parliament voted out its speaker, who was closely associated with the recently ousted Islamic movement.

A MEMBER of Somalia’s virtually powerless government was assassinated as he walked out of a mosque yesterday, enraging hundreds of locals who rioted in the streets screaming: “We want a government that can restore law and order!”

A member of Somalia’s virtually powerless government was assassinated today as he walked out of a mosque, enraging hundreds of Somalis who rioted in the streets screaming, “We want a government that can restore law and order!”

SOMALIA’S powerful Islamists yesterday said they would not attend peace talks with the interim government until Ethiopian troops left their soil.

Somalia’s transitional government will meet next week for peace talks with Islamic militant rivals who have seized control of much of the country, a presidential aide said today.