Somalia talaban leader agrees to sharia law

New Somali President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed has bowed to demands from Islamist insurgents after the fiercest clashes since he took office, agreeing to a truce and the introduction of sharia law.
Mr Ahmed, a former Islamist rebel leader who was elected President on January 31, said he had accepted proposals by local and religious leaders mediating between his Government and the hardliners."I met with religious leaders and elders and accepted their demand for ceasefire and reconciliation with the opposition members and I call on all opposition parties to halt the unnecessary violence," Mr Ahmed said. "The mediators asked me to introduce Islamic sharia in the country and I agreed."Hardline Shebab militia and other Islamist fighters have waged battles against the Government and its allies since and before Mr Ahmed came to power, vowing to fight until all foreign forces withdraw and sharia law is imposed.At least 30 people were killed this week in the bloodiest clashes since the President, a moderate Islamist, was elected.
African Union peacekeepers, who are constantly under attack from Islamist insurgents, are the only foreign troops left in the country after Ethiopian soldiers pulled out last month.
The proposal to introduce sharia law must still be ratified by Somalia's parliament.
Mr Ahmed became President following a United Nations-brokered reconciliation in Djibouti that aimed to try and bring some kind of stability to the Horn of Africa state after years of unrest
AFP