Somalia: Federal lawmakers approve state of emergency law 20 Aug 20, 2009 - 4:38:40 AM
MOGADISHU, Somalia Aug 20 (Garowe Online) - Lawmakers in Somalia's transitional federal parliament have approved a state of emergency bill requested by interim President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed's government, Radio Garowe reports.
The parliamentary session was held in the Somali capital Mogadishu, with 480 MPs presenting their various opinions.
MP Mohamed Qanyare, one of Mogadishu's ex-warlords, told fellow lawmakers that passing the bill "would make it easier [for the government] to re-capture regions" under the opposition's control.
Sheikh Aden "Madobe" Mohamed, the parliament Speaker, reported the vote as: 451 MPs voted yes; 23 MPs voted no; and 6 MPs abstained.
President Sheikh Sharif requested the state of emergency law in June, as fighting raged with the TFG and allied forces, including African Union peacekeepers (AMISOM), one one side and Al Shabaab and Hizbul Islam insurgents on the other.
It is not clear what the new law will do to help restore order in Mogadishu, but insurgent groups control many districts in the capital and most regions in south-central Somalia.
