Islamic leaders offered role in Somali govt

Somalia’s most powerful politician today offered the country’s Islamic movement a role in government, but said it must pull back its militia to avert a looming war.

Speaking after holding peace talks with top Islamic leaders, Parliament Speaker Sharif Hassan Sheik Aden said the weak but internationally recognised government and te Islamic group could combine to try to bring peace to Somalia, a country shattered by 15 years of civil war.