- Title: SOMALIA: Mortars kill 6 civilians near Somali peace talks
- Date: 19th July 2007
- Summary: (W3) MOGADISHU, SOMALIA (JULY 18, 2007) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF BAKARA MARKET CLOSED AFTER HEAVY FIGHTING
- Embargoed: 3rd August 2007 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Somalia
- Country: Somalia
- Topics: International Relations
- Reuters ID: LVAB4C06V9KTP79LULHJ76H7OD79
- Story Text: Mortar bombs fired by suspected Islamist insurgents missed the venue of a major reconciliation meeting in Somalia on Thursday (July 19) but killed six civilians including at least five children, residents said.
The death toll could not immediately be verified.
The conference, at a former police compound in northern Mogadishu, had earlier resumed amid tight security after explosions echoed across the capital's biggest market, Bakara, in the heaviest fighting in 15 days of non-stop violence.
Somali Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Gedi told more than 1,000 delegates he was confident that the landmark talks would be a success.
But he said Somalia must redress its reputation as a terrorist haven.
"Somalia is seen as the international home for terrorists and danger and the Somali people are recognized as people of corruption. We have to save the Somali reputation," he said.
Ironically, the sprawling Bakara market which was closed down after Wednesday's fighting, is home to one of the world's largest open-air weapons markets.
The wounded from the clashes, including young children, are being treated in hospital.
The interim government of Somalia hopes the much-delayed reconciliation conference will address the root causes of the bloodshed.
Diplomats say the Mogadishu peace meeting is the last best hope for the government -- a 14th attempt at forging national rule since 1991 -- to boost its legitimacy and win the support it needs to bring peace among Somalia's many factions and clans.
Formed in late 2004, the interim government is half-way through a five-year mandate, and critics say it is determined to cling on to power.
Opponents accuse it of trying to evade serious power-sharing negotiations, saying its call for reconciliation talks is lip service for the benefit of the United States and African Union which has deployed 1,600 Ugandan peacekeepers. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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