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Fleeing Somali refugees stranded Fleeing Somali refugees stranded
(about 5 hours later)
Hundreds of Somali refugees who fled heavy fighting in the capital, Mogadishu, are stranded near the Kenyan border in a desperate condition.Hundreds of Somali refugees who fled heavy fighting in the capital, Mogadishu, are stranded near the Kenyan border in a desperate condition.
A BBC correspondent says six children died following a diarrhoea outbreak in Doble town where they are camped.A BBC correspondent says six children died following a diarrhoea outbreak in Doble town where they are camped.
Kenya closed its borders with Somalia last year and insists it will not accept the fleeing families.Kenya closed its borders with Somalia last year and insists it will not accept the fleeing families.
Two sets of talks are taking place about the crisis which the UN says has forced up to 100,000 to flee Mogadishu. Two sets of talks have taken place about the crisis which the UN says has forced up to 100,000 to flee Mogadishu.
The UNHCR says 400 people have died in what the International Committee of the Red Cross has described as the worst fighting for 15 years in Mogadishu.The UNHCR says 400 people have died in what the International Committee of the Red Cross has described as the worst fighting for 15 years in Mogadishu.
Battle for treatmentBattle for treatment
The BBC's Bashkas Jugsodaay in the Kenyan town of Garissa says most of the refugees on the border trekked from Mogadishu and lack food, medicine and a supply of fresh water.The BBC's Bashkas Jugsodaay in the Kenyan town of Garissa says most of the refugees on the border trekked from Mogadishu and lack food, medicine and a supply of fresh water.
DISPLACED SOMALIS 50,000: Lower Shabelle17,000: Middle Shabelle17,000: Afgooye, 30km west of Mogadishu10,000: Marka, 60km south-west of Mogadishu2,700: Galkayo, 700km north-west of Mogadishu2,000 (unconfirmed): Doble, on Kenyan border Source: UNHCR; estimated figures 'Too dangerous to stay'DISPLACED SOMALIS 50,000: Lower Shabelle17,000: Middle Shabelle17,000: Afgooye, 30km west of Mogadishu10,000: Marka, 60km south-west of Mogadishu2,700: Galkayo, 700km north-west of Mogadishu2,000 (unconfirmed): Doble, on Kenyan border Source: UNHCR; estimated figures 'Too dangerous to stay'
Aid agencies are unable to reach the stranded families as security personnel manning the Kenyan border with Somalia have denied them access, our reporter says.Aid agencies are unable to reach the stranded families as security personnel manning the Kenyan border with Somalia have denied them access, our reporter says.
The UN says some 47,000 people have fled Mogadishu in the last two weeks alone.The UN says some 47,000 people have fled Mogadishu in the last two weeks alone.
Those displaced people in the Shabelle region without relatives or clan links are living under trees.Those displaced people in the Shabelle region without relatives or clan links are living under trees.
Further south in the port city of Kismayo, those fleeing have met a hostile reception and residents are reportedly charging for the use of shade under trees.Further south in the port city of Kismayo, those fleeing have met a hostile reception and residents are reportedly charging for the use of shade under trees.
A ceasefire between Ethiopian troops and insurgents has held for a second day in Mogadishu as hospitals battle to treat victims of the four-days fighting.A ceasefire between Ethiopian troops and insurgents has held for a second day in Mogadishu as hospitals battle to treat victims of the four-days fighting.
A committee of elders from the Hawiye clan, which controls the capital, is set to hold talks with Ethiopian commanders. A committee of elders from the Hawiye clan, which controls the capital, held talks with Ethiopian commanders.
Fighters linked to the Hawiye clan and militant Islamists who have been battling with Ethiopian and interim government troops are however, keeping vigil at their strongholds in the capital.Fighters linked to the Hawiye clan and militant Islamists who have been battling with Ethiopian and interim government troops are however, keeping vigil at their strongholds in the capital.
"Things are quiet but fighting could start again any time it is tense," witnesses told Reuters news agency. The two sides agreed to maintain the ceasefire to allow the removal of dead bodies and then return for more talks on Thursday, Reuters news agency reports.
ReconciliationReconciliation
Meanwhile, the US-led International Contact Group (ICG) for Somalia is set to meet in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, where diplomats plan to push for reconciliation among the warring parties. Meanwhile, the US-led International Contact Group (ICG) for Somalia has been meeting in the Egyptian capital, Cairo.
The group which includes countries from Africa, Europe and the US will also discuss plans for Somali national reconciliation conference, set for later this month. The diplomats from Africa, the Arab world, the US and Europe said the tentative ceasefire should be strengthened.
Norway said Ethiopian troops in Mogadishu were exacerbating the situation and should withdraw as soon as possible.
The Arab League's Secretary-General Amr Moussa said the humanitarian crisis prompted by the fighting also needed to be tackled and called for reconciliation.
A national reconciliation conference has been set for later this month.
Last week, Somali Prime Minister Mohammed Ali Ghedi said moderate Islamic scholars who have denounce violence and recognise the transitional charters have been invited to participate at the talks.Last week, Somali Prime Minister Mohammed Ali Ghedi said moderate Islamic scholars who have denounce violence and recognise the transitional charters have been invited to participate at the talks.
The ICG has been pushing for moderate leaders of the ousted Union of Islamic Courts to be included in Somalia's transition process.The ICG has been pushing for moderate leaders of the ousted Union of Islamic Courts to be included in Somalia's transition process.
Six months of order imposed by the Islamists ended when they were ousted by Ethiopian troops in December.Six months of order imposed by the Islamists ended when they were ousted by Ethiopian troops in December.
Some 1,700 Ugandan troops are in Mogadishu as the advance party of an 8,000-strong AU force, which is supposed to replace the Ethiopian troops as they gradually withdrawSome 1,700 Ugandan troops are in Mogadishu as the advance party of an 8,000-strong AU force, which is supposed to replace the Ethiopian troops as they gradually withdraw