Somali minister shot dead walking from a mosque

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!”

It was the second shooting of a politician this week and the latest blow to an administration that has watched helplessly as Islamic militants with alleged links to al-Qaida took control of the capital and much of southern Somalia.

People began streaming into the streets just hours after a gunman opened fire on Abdallah Isaaq Deerow, Minister for Constitutional and Federal Affairs.