afrol News, 22 April - The Prime Minister of Somalia's interim government, Nur Hassan Husein, has regretted the loss of innocent lives during a heavy clash involving insurgent Islamists and the Ethiopian-backed government forces in the capital Mogadishu.

"The government is sorry about the fighting and loss of innocent civilian lives," Mr Hussein told a news conference.

"We call for peace and are striving towards it, but it is necessary to confront with war anyone that favours violence."

The streets of Mogadishu have been littered with dead bodies while residents continued to flee for their lives. Human rights groups said more than 80 people, mostly innocent civilians, have reportedly been killed after Ethiopian forces shelled tanks on residential areas of the capital. The clash also inflicted serious wounds on over 100 people.

Mogadishu residents described the exchange of mortar fires by the two sides as the heaviest clashes in recent months.

In December 2006, Ethiopian-backed forces dislodged the Islamic Courts Union from power and regained control over the capital and areas under the Islamists control.

Somalia had been without a proper functioning government since the overthrow of the former dictator, Mohamed Siad Barre from power in 1991.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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