Radical Islamists linked to al-Qaeda set to take control of Somalia

Fears are growing it could become a new al-Qaeda stronghold two years after a failed US-backed Ethiopian invasion.The country's weak transitional government, its 14th in 17 years, looks likely to fall once Ethiopian troops pull out at the end of December after failing to stamp out a growing Islamist insurgency.The Ethiopians are the last line of defence against a total takeover by a radical Islamist group linked to Osama bin Laden's terror organisation.The group preaches strict Sharia law and approved the stoning to death of a 13-year-old girl in October.Al Shebab, the fanatical armed wing which broke from the Islamic Courts Union which ran Somalia for the second half of 2006, now holds more than 80 per cent of the country – more territory than the Courts controlled during their reign.Rashid Abdi, Somalia analyst for the Brussels-based International Crisis Group said: "They may be forced to moderate their radical line once they take over just to stay in power. more..http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/somalia/3964681/Radical-Islamists-linked-to-al-Qaeda-set-to-take-control-of-Somalia.html