Somali warlords join forces

Aidid says that no-one recognises the new government.

The leaders of three Somali political factions say they have resolved their differences and have called for the replacement of the transitional government.

Following a meeting in Nairobi, Muse Sudi Yalahow, Hussein Aidid and Osman Hassan Ali Atto called on the international community to organise a national reconciliation conference in Somalia.

Hussein Aidid told the BBC that the legitimacy of the transitional government, set up after a conference in Djibouti last year, was "a lie".

He said that in its seven months in power the new government has failed to achieve reconciliation, and that they are just enjoying life going to conferences and living in a luxury hotel.

Somalia has its first central government for 10 years, but President Abdulkassim Salat Hassan has had trouble imposing his new administration's authority beyond the capital, Mogadishu.

No change

The previous Somali President Siad Barre was ousted in 1991.

He was overthrown by leaders of political factions.

They then turned on each other and split the country into fiefdoms and semi-autonomous states.

Most of the faction leaders did not attend last year's Djibouti conference, and Hussein Aidid said that the meeting was just for members of the former Siad Barre regime.

Despite his limited success in gaining authority President Abdulkassim was boosted by a large demonstration of support in Mogadishu earlier this week.