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Somalia

Somali government limits liberty of the press - new attacks

Mogadishu/Nairobi_(dpa) _ The Somali government on Monday limited the freedom of the press in Somalia.

Reports on military operations and refugees would be prohibited in future, Security Officer Nour Mohammed Mohmoud told representatives of several radio stations.

The government would name their own editors for the stations that were to work closely with the government.

"As Somalia is under exceptional circumstances, freedom of the press has been lifted," Mohmoud said, according to reports by the Shabelle news agency.

Meanwhile in Mogadishu, at least five people died. Four were killed when a car bomb exploded near a hospital on Sunday. Gunmen also shot at a car and killed a policeman.

The inhabitants of Mogadishu are complaining about increasing violence. Almost every day there are shootings in the city. Ethiopian troops are attacked repeatedly. Most victims, however, are civilians.

The first soldiers of the proposed African peace mission are yet to arrive in Somalia.

Uganda, which had promised 1,500 troops, is to name the beginning of the mission this week.

Burundi promised to send 1,700 troops at the weekend.

Ghana and Malawi also want to contribute soldiers to the US- and EU-funded peace troops, which are due to be 8,000 strong. The promised contingents so far only make up for half that number. dpa uk gma wjh

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