Somali faction leaders mend fences

The leaders of three Somali political factions say they've resolved their differences and have called for the replacement of the transitional government, led by President Abdiqasim Salad Hassan.

The three leaders -- Hussein Aidid, Osman Hassan Atto and Musse Sudi Yalahow -- refused to recognise Mr Hassan when he was appointed at a reconciliation conference in Djibouti last August.

Speaking to the BBC, Mr Aidid said they've now agreed to call for a new reconciliation conference to be held -- this time in Somalia.

He said Mr Hasan's government did not have popular support and said it consists of members of the regime of Siad Barre, who was expelled from the country in 1991.

Correspondents say the call by the three leaders will be seen as a potential threat to Mr Hassan, but it's not clear how much support they have inside Somalia.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service