Sheikh Shariif sets conditions to release 11 US soldiers seized in Somalia

Somalia's routed Islamic leader Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed and the US ambassador to Kenya, Michael Ranneberger, have come to bidding over the release of 11 US occupation solder reportedly captured by the Islamic force in southern Somalia.

According to Al-Khaleej news agency based in Emirates quoting DPA news agency reliable diplomatic sources indicate that at least the two men have had four rounds of talks over the american soldiers in the captivity of Islamic force in southern jungles of the war-torn country, Somalia.

Mr. Ranneberger has asked the Islamic leader in the custody of Kenyan authority to order the release the US occupation soldiers who were seized during heavy ground skirmishes between the Somalia mujahiddeen and the american soldiers accompanied by Ethiopian occupation troops. Sources say the incident took place nearly three weeks ago in southern Somalia.

According to Al-Khaleej, Sheik Sharif stipulated the release of the soldiers with several conditions. He said:

"Ethiopian soldiers in Somalia should be withdrawn immediately, America should halt the military action in south the country, I should be transferred from Kenya to another safe country (probably Yemen) and the United States should tell the world that 11 of its marine soldiers were seized in Somalia."

Sheik Sharif said if these conditions were fulfilled, they would facilitate the release of the american occupation soldiers, asserting he would always feel insecure and unsafe as long as he lingers in Kenya.

Mr. Ranneberger, who was campaigning for the so call "african peacekeeping force" to Somalia, has always told the world press that moderate Islamic leader like Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed should be inclusive in the Somali so call "transitional government" that is now formally in control of the country with the help of the thousands of ethiopian occupation troops.

In further development the american are once again claming the Islamic Courts of regrouping in other countries, blaming Yemen, Saudi Arabia and Eritrea, they have singled out Eritrea for "destabilizing" the region.

Agencies