Hardline Islamist opposition leader Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys has scoffed at claims he was killed in fighting between rival Islamist groups.

“You see that I am physically healthy and fit. No injuries at all,” he told a news conference in Mogadishu, reported Reuters news agency.

He dismissed weekend reports that he had been wounded as enemy propaganda.

Mr Aweys, who is on US and UN terrorism lists, wants to oust the government and impose a stricter form of Islamic law.

A pro-government militia claimed on Saturday that Mr Aweys had died during fierce battles for the town of Webho, which has changed hands several times during fighting in recent weeks.

 

This holy war will not stop until foreign forces leave and Sharia is implemented Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys Somali rage at grave desecration

Mr Aweys also repeated his call for African Union peacekeepers to leave the country.

“This war is a holy war and will not stop until foreign forces leave the country and Sharia is implemented,” he said, reported AFP news agency.

Mr Aweys – who returned to Somalia from exile in April – is a leader in a hardline Islamist alliance which controls much of southern and central Somalia.

His former ally, Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed – who was installed as president in January after a UN-brokered peace deal – has already introduced Sharia law, but the rebels say it is not a rigorous enough version.

 

Moqtar Mohamed Hirabe was shot several times in the chest and head

During fighting on Sunday, gunmen killed the director of influential Radio Shabelle in Mogadishu.

Some reports suggested Moqtar Mohamed Hirabe may have been killed by members of Mr Aweys’ militia, angered at the reports their leader had been wounded.

Mr Hirabe, 48, was shot several times in the chest and head. A colleague was also injured.

Fighting between the opposition and pro-government forces has been intense – close to 100,000 people have had to flee their homes over the past month.

Somalia has not had a functioning national government for 18 years.

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