Somali Minister Killed by Islamist Militants
From CNN World:
War looms as Islamists strengthen, old foes back opposing sides
BAIDOA, Somalia (Reuters) — Gunmen shot dead a Somali government minister outside a mosque on Friday in a killing sure to exacerbate tensions in the violence-plagued Horn of Africa nation.
The attackers opened fire on Constitution and Federalism Minister Abdallah Deerow Isaq as he left prayers in the provincial town of Baidoa, witnesses and officials said.
"It looks like an organized assassination," Information Minister Mohamed Abdi Hayr told Reuters from Baidoa, seat of the fragile interim Somali government.
"So far we do not know who did it. They shot him as he was leaving the mosque then ran off. Police are chasing the gunmen."
Formed in 2004 in the 14th attempt to restore central rule to Somalia since the 1991 ousting of a military dictator, the government's authority has been challenged by the rise of an Islamist movement that took Mogadishu and other towns in June.
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