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Islamists deny Somali bomb claims Islamists deny Somali bomb claims
(20 minutes later)
The Islamist group which controls much of southern Somalia has rejected accusations that it was behind the suicide attack on the government. The Islamist group which controls much of southern Somalia has rejected accusations that it was behind the car bomb on the government base, Baidoa.
Union of Islamic Courts leader Sheik Hassan Dahir Aweys has condemned the attack, in which at least nine people died, in the government base of Baidoa. Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) leader Sheik Hassan Dahir Aweys has condemned the attack, in which at least nine people died.
Government officials have accused the UIC of organising Thursday's attack. Government officials have accused the UIC of organising Thursday's blast.
There are fears of widespread conflict between the government and the UIC and their regional allies.There are fears of widespread conflict between the government and the UIC and their regional allies.
A policeman told the BBC that a female suicide bomber wearing a veil blew herself up at a check-point on the outskirts of the only town under government control.A policeman told the BBC that a female suicide bomber wearing a veil blew herself up at a check-point on the outskirts of the only town under government control.
Ethiopian convoy 'ambushed' "There were flames everywhere," an eye-witness said.Ethiopian convoy 'ambushed' "There were flames everywhere," an eye-witness said.
Two of those killed were police officers, along with the occupants of three cars which were destroyed in the blast. Two of those killed were police officers.
It is not clear how many suicide bombers were involved in the attack. The government says it was a suicide bombing but there is no independent verification of this.
Information Minister Ali Jama told the AFP news agency that security had been tightened in Baidoa following the blast and that two suspects were being questioned.Information Minister Ali Jama told the AFP news agency that security had been tightened in Baidoa following the blast and that two suspects were being questioned.
"All indications are that they were trying to bring the explosives into Baidoa and their motive could be killing government officials, but we expect to get a clearer picture from the interrogation," he said."All indications are that they were trying to bring the explosives into Baidoa and their motive could be killing government officials, but we expect to get a clearer picture from the interrogation," he said.
Some officials have suggested that the attackers were foreign members of the al-Qaeda network.Some officials have suggested that the attackers were foreign members of the al-Qaeda network.
But Mr Aweys denied the charges.But Mr Aweys denied the charges.
"This is a baseless allegation. They have no evidence to say the Islamic courts are behind this," he told the AP news agency."This is a baseless allegation. They have no evidence to say the Islamic courts are behind this," he told the AP news agency.
Ethiopia resolutionEthiopia resolution
Interim President Abdullahi Yusuf survived a suicide car bomb attack in Baidoa two months ago, which killed his brother.Interim President Abdullahi Yusuf survived a suicide car bomb attack in Baidoa two months ago, which killed his brother.
He said they were foreign members of al-Qaeda.He said they were foreign members of al-Qaeda.
The UIC denies links to al-Qaeda but is opposed to the government and has threatened to launch a holy war to drive Ethiopian troops out of the country.The UIC denies links to al-Qaeda but is opposed to the government and has threatened to launch a holy war to drive Ethiopian troops out of the country.
Ethiopia admits it has hundreds of military trainers helping the government but denies they are taking part in any conflict.Ethiopia admits it has hundreds of military trainers helping the government but denies they are taking part in any conflict.
The Ethiopian parliament on Thursday passed a resolution authorising the government to take all necessary and legal steps against any invasion by UIC.The Ethiopian parliament on Thursday passed a resolution authorising the government to take all necessary and legal steps against any invasion by UIC.
The resolution said there was a clear and present danger to Ethiopia from the UIC.The resolution said there was a clear and present danger to Ethiopia from the UIC.
Ethiopia's rival Eritrea denies claims that it backs the UIC.