Ethiopian PM holds talks with UN peacekeeping chief

Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi on Monday held talks with Alain Le Roy, United Nations under-secretary-general for peacekeeping operations, focusing on a joint peacekeeping mission in Sudan's Darfur region. During their talks, Meles reassured Ethiopia's commitment to support peacekeeping operations undertaken by the UN across the world. Ethiopia will continue to support continental and international efforts to ensure peace and stability in countries of the region, Meles added. After the talks, Roy told journalists that the talks were on various continental and international issues of importance. more..http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90855/6514517.html

At least 47 dead in Somali violence

At least 47 people have been killed in a series of violent incidents in Somalia, according to reports. A Mogadishu resident flees after fighting among insurgents and peacekeepers on September 24. A roadside bomb exploded Monday as African Union forces were traveling through K4 square, a major junction in southern Mogadishu, witnesses said. An exchange of gunfire between AU forces and insurgents followed the bombing, they added.At least five civilians were killed and another 20 people wounded, including an AU soldier, an AU spokesman said.Also slain were an insurgent, a spokesman for the Islamist insurgents said, and a Somali government soldier, according to a government spokesman.The daytime attack on the square, which is also a base for the AU forces, came a day after 400 Burundian soldiers landed at Mogadishu's airport, which reopened this week after militant Islamists lifted a siege on it. A nearby school was hit by artillery and people could be seen fleeing under a hail of bullets...more..http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/africa/10/13/somalia.violence/index.html#cnnSTCText