Somali factions meet

Somalia's two most powerful warlords remained in their hotel suites in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa yesterday while deputies and foreign mediators tried to negotiate face-to-face talks, Reuter reports from Addis Ababa. Somalia's self-styled president, Ali Mahdi Mohamed, has refused to meet arch-rival Mohamed Farah Aideed, but spokesmen for both men said their deputies were holding consultations.