Somali Government Denies Hard-Line Insurgent Claims

Somalia's new government has sharply denied the administration is unraveling with increasing attacks by hard-line Islamic insurgents in the capital, Mogadishu. President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed's government also denied reports that it is losing control to the insurgents including al-Shabab. The new administration has also vowed to take absolute control of the city after the presidential palace and Africa Union peacekeepers came under insurgent attacks. Al-Shabab, with strong ties to al-Qaeda, has refused to recognize the new administration, promising to overthrow the government through violence. Government spokesman Abdi Kadir Walayo told VOA that the new administration would defend the country with its last breath...more..http://www.voanews.com/english/Africa/2009-05-25-voa3.cfm