Somali Cabinet OKs state of emergency

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — Somalia's government is calling for a state of emergency to be declared in the lawless country.Information Minister Farhan Ali Mohamud says the Cabinet made the decision Saturday because Somalia "is in danger" and is facing a deteriorating humanitarian crisis.The president must announce the state of emergency before it can begin, though it is unlikely to change much as the weak government controls only a few blocks of the capital and a border town.Islamic insurgents have been trying to topple the government for more than two years.Meanwhile, Somali lawmakers passed a resolution calling for immediate international military intervention to help fight the Islamic insurgents.
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MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — Somalia's parliamentary speaker says lawmakers have passed a resolution calling on the country's neighbors to send troops to fight Islamic insurgents.
Sheik Adam Mohamed Nor says lawmakers want the troops sent to Somalia within 24 hours. He says the legislators passed the resolution Saturday during a session held in the presidential palace.Lawmakers did not sit in their usual venue in northern Mogadishu because there has been heavy fighting there between government forces and Islamic insurgents since late Friday. Witnesses say at least 10 people have been killed during the hours-long battles.
There is already an African Union force in Mogadishu but its mandate is restricted to guarding key government officials and installations.
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