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Outside Interests Assist Islamic Courts, Says U.N.

November 15, 2006 - 10:23am



UNITED NATIONS - Somali Islamists are receiving military help from Iran, Syria, Libya, Egypt and Lebanon-based Hezbollah, according to a United Nations report cited by the Washington Post. The aid is said to include arms, training and financing for the Islamic Courts Union, which has taken control of most of eastern and southern Somalia. The report detailed several arms shipments to the Islamists, assistance which is banned by a U.N. arms embargo on Somalia.

Chad Declares State of Emergency

N'DJAMENA, CHAD - Chad imposed a state of emergency at midnight on Monday in large sections of the country, including the eastern area near the border with Sudan, Reuters reports. The emergency declaration gives regional governors additional authority to ensure security, including imposing a ban on unauthorized firearms. "Those illegally holding weapons of war, whoever they are, must immediately hand them over to the competent authorities," said Prime Minister Pascal Yoadimnadji in an address to the nation, also noting that those who refuse will risk what he called "exemplary punishment."

Russia, Belarus Eye Air-Defense Agreement

MINSK, BELARUS - Belarus is likely to sign an agreement with Russia next week to create a joint anti-missile defense system, reports Interfax-AVN. The accord will probably be signed at a Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) defense ministers meeting in the Belarusian city Brest on Nov. 23, said the Belarusian air force and air defense commander, Lt. Gen. Oleg Paferov. The proposed agreement will allow both countries to purchase weapons for their uniform air defense systems, rather than through protracted negotiations, he said.

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