BAIDOA, Somalia Oct 13 (Garowe Online) - Somalia's interim Prime Minister warned today that the war-torn country could return to civil conflict if current efforts to unseat his government succeed.

Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Gedi made the comment while speaking at a hotel in the southwestern town of Baidoa Saturday where a group of his supporters including lawmakers and Cabinet ministers gathered.

"The ongoing efforts might lead to civil war again," Gedi warned.

He admitted for the first time that a strong dispute exists within the transitional federal government.

Some 22 Cabinet ministers threatened to resign from Gedi's government two days ago. The ministers want Gedi to face a vote of no confidence motion in parliament.

But the Prime Minister and his supporters oppose the motion and claim that Gedi's term in office expires in 2009.

If Gedi loses the confidence vote, President Abdullahi Yusuf lacks the authority to reappoint him a third time. Gedi lost two such confidence votes since his government came to power in late 2004.

The dispute between Gedi and President Yusuf has largely divided the Ethiopian-backed transitional government, the 14th attempt to restore central rule in Somalia.

The government is itself struggling to operate from the capital Mogadishu where deadly Islamist-led insurgency has raged since January.

"A bad government is better than no government therefore it is best that the men  backing the motion against my administration stop their efforts," Prime Minister Gedi said.

Meanwhile, Mogadishu Mayor Mohamed "Dheere" Omar reached Baidoa today where he met privately with parliament Speaker Adan "Madobe" Mohamed.

Its not clear why Mayor Dheere came to Baidoa but observers say Speaker Madobe is playing a neutral role in the political row between the president and his prime minister.

Unconfirmed reports said senior Ethiopian officials, including Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin, are expected in Baidoa to help mediate between Yusuf and Gedi.

Baidoa city is teeming with extra Somali and Ethioipian troops, according to our correspondent.

Source: Garowe Online