Somali warlord denies involvement in murder

The Somali militia leader, Sudi Yalahow, has denied any involvement in the murder at the weekend of Hassan Ahmed Elmi, a member of the country's fledgling parliament.

He was shot and killed on Sunday night in front of his wife and children at his home in Madina, in an area of Mogadishu controlled by Mr Yalahow's men.

Mr Yalahow said that preliminary investigations indicated a power struggle among members of parliament.

Correspondents point out that Somalia's militia leaders are strongly opposed to the reconciliation process, which has led to the establishment of an assembly and an interim president and administration.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service