DOHA, Qatar, 23 March 2007 - The leader of a group of Somali legislators opposed to their government’s pro-Ethiopia policy is visiting Qatar, according to a member of ex-Speaker Sharif Hassan Sheikh Adan’s delegation.

MP Abdirahman Haji Ibbi said they were invited by Qatari government officials to hold talks over the Somali conflict, which has been worsening in recent weeks.

Inside sources tell Garowe Online the dissident lawmakers will participate at a discussion forum to be aired by Qatar-based Al-Jazeera TV.

Other reports said Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, executive leader of the ousted Islamic Courts movement, would arrive in Qatar to partake in the debate.

In comments to the media, ex-Speaker Sharif Hassan blamed Ethiopian troops for the ongoing violence in Mogadishu.

“The Ethiopian [soldiers] don’t care for the Somali people…they use artillery every night,” said Sharif Hassan, who is known for his vocal opposition to Ethiopian intervention.

On the upcoming National Reconciliation Congress, Sharif Hassan said: “Reconciliation should be between political groups, not clans…I don’t see fighting clans. And Ethiopian troops must be removed from Somalia.”

The interim government plans to a host a grand conference of clans in Mogadishu next month. But violence escalated in the lawless capital when government troops began disarmament efforts.

Last week, some 42 MPs including former Speaker were given 30 days to report to the parliament seat at Baidoa or risk losing their job.

Ex-Speaker Sharif Hassan and his loyal MPs have refused to set foot in Somalia until Ethiopian troops withdraw from the country first.

Pro-government Ethiopian forces invaded in Somalia in December when Islamist militias encircled Baidoa and threatened to attack the UN-recognized transitional government.

Source: Garowe Online