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Somalia PM: Iran, Libya backing militants |
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Saturday, 29 July 2006 |
Associated Press
By MOHAMED OLAD HASSAN
Associated Press Writer
 BAIDOA, Somalia (AP) - Somalia's prime minister on Saturday accused Egypt, Libya and Iran of providing weapons for Islamic militants who have seized control of much of this country's south.
"Egypt, Libya and Iran, whom we thought were friends, are engaged in fueling the conflict in Somalia by supporting the terrorists," Prime Minister Mohammed Ali Gedi said, citing unnamed sources within his government.
The accusations came as Somalia's already weak government was unraveling. Two lawmakers were shot this week - one fatally - and Gedi was facing a no-confidence vote after 18 lawmakers resigned from his administration.
Meanwhile, an Islamic militia with alleged ties to al-Qaida has steadily gained power, raising fears of an emerging Taliban-style regime. The United States accuses the group of harboring al-Qaida leaders responsible for deadly 1998 bombings at the U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania.
"We call for the international community to put pressure on these countries who want the problems in Somalia to continue," Gedi said.
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