SOMALIA: Thousands take to streets to demonstrate against fighting between Israel and Hizbollah

Thousands of people took to the streets of the Somalian capital on Friday (August 11, 2006) in a noisy demonstration against both Israeli attacks on Lebanon and interference by neighbouring Ethiopia in Somali politics. Protesters condemned the violence in the Middle East, blaming the United States, Britain and Israel for the death and destruction in Lebanon and calling for an immediate end to the war. The demonstration was organised by Somalia's powerful Islamists, who are quickly extending their influence in the anarchic nation. The Islamists, who control Mogadishu and a large swathe of southern Somalia, have been expanding into remote areas in an effort to consolidate control over the Horn of African nation after ousting U.S.-backed warlords from the capital in June. The Islamic movement initially put on a moderate face, but the rise of a hardline cleric, Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys, as its leader has fuelled fears they want to establish a Taliban-like state. Demonstrators expressed their dissatisfaction with the way the international community has been dealing with the situation in Lebanon, and wondered what would have happened if it was a non-Islamic state that had been attacked. "Today's problem in Lebanon is how the international community is watching and does not even say anything, but if this problem was to hit another non-Islamic country, what would happen? They would be standing to solve this problem," said Islamic court's chairman Sheikh Sharif. United Nations and aid convoys have been unable to deliver supplies since an Israeli air strike hit a Litani River bridge on Monday. The U.S.-French draft resolution calls for a "cessation of hostilities". Lebanon wants a quick Israeli pullout, but Israel says a strong multinational force must be deployed first. The latest compromise calls for a phased Israeli withdrawal as the Lebanese army moves into the south. At the same time, the U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon, known as UNIFIL, would be reinforced by up to 15,000 French and other troops. As part of the deal, Hizbollah militants would also pull out from south of the Litani River, 20 km (13 miles) north of the Israeli border. A second resolution on a permanent ceasefire would follow within a month, diplomats say, tackling a range of outstanding issues, including the release of two Israeli soldiers held by Hizbollah. Israel will reserve the right to re-enter Lebanon in future if the proposed U.N. force fails to stop Hizbollah fighters from returning to the border, a top military official said on Friday.

ITN Source | August 13, 2006

Tags:. .southern. .fails. .britain. .proposed. .expressed