Shooting breaks peace deal

Mogadishu - Sporadic shooting and mortar fire broke out in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, yesterday evening despite the announcement earlier of a peace agreement between the two main belligerents, writes David Orr.

News of the accord between Mohamed Farah Aideed and Ali Mahdi Mohamed was given by their factions' radio stations. Both sides had agreed there would be no inter-clan fighting as the last of the United Nations peace- keepers leave next week under the protection of a United States-led task force.

The pact stipulates that all weapons should be removed from the streets. Though no timetable was given for the implementation of this provision, the inference was that it should take effect immediately.