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Shooting at captured Somali port Somali PM warns of terror threat
(about 5 hours later)
Islamist guards have opened fire at Somalis protesting at the takeover of the key port of Kismayo - the country's third largest city. Somalia's interim prime minister has asked for international help against the "al-Qaeda" and "terrorist" expansion in the country.
Three deaths are being reported after some residents burnt tyres, chanted anti-Islamist slogans and threw stones. Ali Mohamed Ghedi appealed for aid soon, before it was too late.
Earlier an Islamist leader spoke at a rally which passed off peacefully. He was speaking after his Islamist rivals seized the key port of Kismayo, where they fired at demonstrators, reportedly killing three people.
The last southern Somali port outside the Islamic Courts (UIC) movement's control fell overnight as the defence minister's militia withdrew. The Union of Islamic Courts deny having any links to al-Qaeda and say they are bringing security to a lawless country.
'Violation'
"I would appeal to the governments of the region to join our efforts and protect the region from the expansion of this al-Qaeda network, these terrorists," Mr Ghedi said in neighbouring Kenya.
He also said the takeover of Kismayo was a "violation" of the ceasefire agreed between the UIC and the government in Sudan.
Mr Ghedi's government only controls a small part of Somalia, around the town of Baidoa, while the UIC has expanded across most of the south.
They seized Kismayo on Sunday without a fight, after gunmen loyal to Mr Ghedi's Defence Minister Barre Hiraale fled the town.
After the takeover, pro- and anti-UIC rallies were held.
Islamist guards opened fire after some residents burnt tyres, chanted anti-Islamist slogans and threw stones.
An MP told the Somali service that three people had died. Some of the protesters had been seen burning Islamic head-dresses.An MP told the Somali service that three people had died. Some of the protesters had been seen burning Islamic head-dresses.
A local journalist said the Islamic militia had taken control of the whole city - the airport, the sea port and the building where Kismayo's former ruler, Defence Minister Barre Hiraale had been based. UIC officials say the protests were organised by those who opposed their ban on the popular stimulant khat during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
Earlier an Islamist leader spoke at a rally which passed off peacefully.
TroopsTroops
Meanwhile, eyewitnesses report that hundreds of Ethiopian troops have crossed the border, heading for Baidoa - the only town controlled by the internationally recognised government.Meanwhile, eyewitnesses report that hundreds of Ethiopian troops have crossed the border, heading for Baidoa - the only town controlled by the internationally recognised government.
Ethiopia supports the administration of President Abdullahi Yusuf but has denied several previous reports that its troops are in Baidoa.Ethiopia supports the administration of President Abdullahi Yusuf but has denied several previous reports that its troops are in Baidoa.
Earlier this month, the African Union agreed to a request by Somalia's transitional government, which controls only a small part of the country, to send in a regional peacekeeping force.Earlier this month, the African Union agreed to a request by Somalia's transitional government, which controls only a small part of the country, to send in a regional peacekeeping force.
Kismayo had been seen as a possible landing point for the peacekeepers.Kismayo had been seen as a possible landing point for the peacekeepers.
Witnesses told AFP news agency they had seen more than 600 Islamist gunmen on about 50 "battlewagons" - machine-gun mounted pick-ups also known as "technicals" - heading toward Kismayo on Sunday.Witnesses told AFP news agency they had seen more than 600 Islamist gunmen on about 50 "battlewagons" - machine-gun mounted pick-ups also known as "technicals" - heading toward Kismayo on Sunday.
Thousands of people are reported to have fled the city in recent days.Thousands of people are reported to have fled the city in recent days.
Earlier reports said that thousands of people had gathered in the town, chanting "God is great" to welcome the UIC fighters.Earlier reports said that thousands of people had gathered in the town, chanting "God is great" to welcome the UIC fighters.
The UIC has steadily increased its hold on Somalia since its fighters took control of the capital, Mogadishu, in June, taking control of hundreds of square kilometres of territory while hardly firing a shot.The UIC has steadily increased its hold on Somalia since its fighters took control of the capital, Mogadishu, in June, taking control of hundreds of square kilometres of territory while hardly firing a shot.
'Ceasefire breached' Mr Ghedi's government was set up in 2004 after more than two years of talks designed to give Somalia its first effective national government since 1991.
The local militia in Kismayo was led by Mr Hiraale of the Juba Valley Alliance.
Government spokesman Abdirahman Dinari was quoted by Reuters news agency as saying any attack on Kismayo would breach a ceasefire deal between the administration and the Islamists agreed during recent talks in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum.
"We're requesting that the international community pressurise the UIC to stop attacking," he said.
The talks were due to resume later this month.
BBC Africa analyst David Bamford says the UIC insists it is a force for unity and stability in Somalia, which has not had an effective national government for 15 years.
But he adds that in recent weeks, its case has been severely tested as Islamist militants within their ranks have closed down cinemas and prevented Somali women working for non-governmental organisations.
The killings of a Western journalist and an elderly Italian nun and an assassination attempt on President Yusuf have also raised concern.