Situation deteriorating in Somalia

WATCH VIDEO

Source: CCTV.com | 12-22-2006 09:07

A Somalian Islamic leader has said his country is in "a state of war" despite pledging earlier to return to peace talks with the government.

The General Secretary of the Supreme Council of Islamic Courts, Sheik Mahmud Ibrahim Suleym, is accusing neighboring Ethiopia of starting the war, a claim Ethiopia continues to deny.

Suleym made the comment as fighting resumed on Thursday in Somalia for a second day. Islamic fighters and government forces backed by Ethiopia have returned to battle, despite a truce secured earlier by an EU envoy.

Reports say the latest clashes between Islamic fighters and government forces have left more than a hundred people dead.

Editor:Ji Xuewen