Ethiopia warning draws Somali ire

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The Islamic body that controls much of Somalia has reacted angrily to comments by Ethiopia that it is prepared for an attack by its eastern neighbour.

The head of Somalia's Union of Islamic Courts (UIC), Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, said his forces were ready to face Ethiopian troops within Somalia.

On Thursday Ethiopia's PM said the UIC had declared holy war on his country.

Ethiopia denies allegations by the UIC that Ethiopian troops are backing Somalia's weak transitional government.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi has denied these claims but admits to having hundreds of military trainers in Somalia.

On Thursday he told MPs that Somalia's UIC represented a "clear threat".

Mr Meles said he did not believe the path of negotiations with the UIC was completely exhausted but added that his government could not look the other way when the country was being attacked.

Some analysts fear a regional war, as Ethiopia's rival Eritrea is seen as pro-Islamist.

A UN report this month accused Ethiopia and Eritrea, among other countries, of breaking an international arms embargo by supplying arms to Somalia.

Somalia's interim government only controls a small patch of territory around the town of Baidoa.