Somali PM survives ousting vote

Mr Ghedi's government was formed in 2004 in Kenya

Ali Mohamed Ghedi, prime minister in Somalia's transitional government, has survived a no-confidence vote.

He faced the vote after 19 ministers resigned, apparently dissatisfied at his government's reluctance to forge an agreement with Islamist courts.

The courts recently took control of the capital, Mogadishu, and much of the south, while the government controls little beyond its base in Baidoa.

The motion to remove Mr Ghedi needed 138 votes to pass, but received 126.

"I respect those who voted against me and I respect those who voted for me," Mr Ghedi said.

Some MPs threw punches and wrestled on the floor after Mr Gedi survived the vote in Baidoa town.

Some analysts said the vote against Mr Ghedi was an attempt to create a power-sharing agreement with the Islamists.

Talks

However, after the vote, Islamists indicated they were not interested in the outcome of the vote but reiterated they would boycott peace talks in Khartoum this week unless Ethiopian troops pulled out of Somalia.

Militia loyal to the Islamic courts control Mogadishu

"As long as they are in our country we will not attend the talks," Islamist leader Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys told Reuters.

A BBC correspondent in Baidoa says a growing number of MPs support opening political talks with the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) - a move opposed by the interim prime minister.

This rift prompted both the proposed motion of no confidence, and the resignation on Thursday of at least 19 members of the transitional government.

President Abdullahi Yusuf's government has little influence outside its base in Baidoa, but has the diplomatic support of the United Nations and the African Union (AU) and the strong backing of neighbouring Ethiopia.

Tensions have been heightened by the presence of Ethiopian troops in and around Baidoa, supporting Mr Ghedi's government.

Many Somalis, including the UIC, are opposed to the presence of Ethiopian troops on Somali soil.

Somalia has been without an effective government ever since the toppling of dictator Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991.

Mr Ghedi's government was formed in Kenya in late 2004 to try and end anarchy in the lawless country.