ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia Aug 16 (Garowe Online) - Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi met privately with visiting interim Somali President Abdullahi Yusuf and Prime Minister Nur "Adde" Hassan Hussein on Saturday, as part of African Union-led efforts to resolve a rift between the Somali leaders.

Inside sources in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, tell Garowe Online that the Ethiopian leader asked the Somali President to "accept" the Somali Prime Minister's decision to fire Mogadishu Mayor Mohamed Dheere.

President Yusuf reportedly informed the Ethiopian Prime Minister that he needs "more time" to think, but welcomed AU mediation efforts aimed at seeking a lasting solution with Prime Minister Nur Adde.

In a separate meeting, Premier Zenawi spoke privately with Prime Minister Nur Adde and Sheikh Adan "Madobe" Mohamed, Somalia's parliament Speaker.

No information has emerged from the talks, but AU Special Representative to Somalia, Mr. Nicolah Bwakira, told the VOA that there is no disagreement over Mogadishu Mayor Mohamed Dheere's dismissal but suggested that the dispute is over the process. [ Full story]

Source: Garowe Online