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UN mulls Somalia peacekeeper plan UN mulls Somalia peacekeeper plan
(30 minutes later)
The United Nations Security Council is set to meet to consider moves to send African peacekeepers into Somalia.The United Nations Security Council is set to meet to consider moves to send African peacekeepers into Somalia.
The initiative was agreed before the Islamic Courts militia were ousted by Ethiopia-backed government forces.The initiative was agreed before the Islamic Courts militia were ousted by Ethiopia-backed government forces.
The UN session follows US air strikes targeting Islamist fighters, who the US says include al-Qaeda members.The UN session follows US air strikes targeting Islamist fighters, who the US says include al-Qaeda members.
UN officials fear the US actions may complicate peacekeeping efforts and the new UN chief has expressed concern they could lead to an escalation.UN officials fear the US actions may complicate peacekeeping efforts and the new UN chief has expressed concern they could lead to an escalation.
Somali officials said many civilians were killed in the raids.Somali officials said many civilians were killed in the raids.
Location of militias and US Navy patrols Location of militias and US Navy patrols
Last month, the UN Security Council authorised an African peacekeeping force to protect the transitional government against the Union of Islamic Courts.Last month, the UN Security Council authorised an African peacekeeping force to protect the transitional government against the Union of Islamic Courts.
They had taken control of much of central and southern Somalia over the past six months, before being routed from the capital, Mogadishu, and driven south by government and Ethiopian forces.They had taken control of much of central and southern Somalia over the past six months, before being routed from the capital, Mogadishu, and driven south by government and Ethiopian forces.
The council also authorised the force to train Somali interim government troops, and lifted a UN arms embargo for the African troops.The council also authorised the force to train Somali interim government troops, and lifted a UN arms embargo for the African troops.
'Hiding out''Hiding out'
The Pentagon has confirmed an air strike was carried out in the south of the country on Sunday.The Pentagon has confirmed an air strike was carried out in the south of the country on Sunday.
The raid was based on "credible intelligence" and targeted al-Qaeda leaders in the region, a spokesman said.The raid was based on "credible intelligence" and targeted al-Qaeda leaders in the region, a spokesman said.
The south is a no man's land... it is forest. It's not easy to move in with military vehicles Somali interim deputy PM Hussein Aideed Twin US aims in Somalia Fact file: AC-130 gunship
UN chief Ban Ki-moon said he regretted the reported loss of civilian lives in the attack.
His spokesman Farhan Haq told the BBC that Mr Moon was "concerned about the new dimension that this kind of action could introduce to the conflict, and the possible escalation of hostilities that may result".
The US has long said al-Qaeda suspects linked to the 1998 US embassy bombings in East Africa took refuge in Somalia.The US has long said al-Qaeda suspects linked to the 1998 US embassy bombings in East Africa took refuge in Somalia.
The US has a right to bombard terrorist suspects who attacked its embassies in Kenya and Tanzania Somali interim president Abdullahi Yusuf Twin US aims in Somalia Fact file: AC-130 gunship
The US also accuses the Islamists of having links to al-Qaeda - charges they deny.The US also accuses the Islamists of having links to al-Qaeda - charges they deny.
Air raids were reported near the town of Afmadow on Monday and Tuesday, but it is not clear if these were carried out by the US, or by Ethiopian forces.Air raids were reported near the town of Afmadow on Monday and Tuesday, but it is not clear if these were carried out by the US, or by Ethiopian forces.
Correspondents say the situation on the ground in southern Somalia remains very unclear.Correspondents say the situation on the ground in southern Somalia remains very unclear.
Military operations against Islamist militia fighting for the remnants of the Islamic Courts are reported to have been suspended overnight. Military operations against Islamist militia fighting for the remnants of the Islamic courts are reported to have been suspended overnight.
The Islamist fighters are hiding in densely-wooded areas close to the Kenyan border in the southern tip of Somalia. The Islamist fighters are hiding in densely wooded areas close to the Kenyan border in the southern tip of Somalia.
Somalia's interim President, Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed, said the US had the right to bomb those who had attacked its embassies. Somalia's interim deputy prime minister, Hussein Aideed, said the US action was necessary precisely because of their location.
"This is [the] south of the country, and it is a no man's land... it is forest. It's not easy to move in with military vehicles," he told the BBC's Network Africa programme.
Meanwhile, President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed said the US had the right to bomb those who had attacked its embassies.
More than 250 people died in the 1998 attacks in Kenya and Tanzania, for which al-Qaeda claimed responsibility.More than 250 people died in the 1998 attacks in Kenya and Tanzania, for which al-Qaeda claimed responsibility.
The US also holds the same cell responsible for attacks on an Israeli aircraft and Israeli-owned hotel in Kenya in 2002, in which 15 people died.The US also holds the same cell responsible for attacks on an Israeli aircraft and Israeli-owned hotel in Kenya in 2002, in which 15 people died.
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