Fighting between Somali factions

At least eight persons were killed in battles that took place between warring factions of the Somali National Front in the village of Louke, near the borders with Ethiopia.

AFP quoted the Somali daily "Karran" as saying on Wednesday that machine guns were used in the battles that erupted on Tuesday and continued all night between the two factions.

The conflict between the two factions is due to the intention of Ahmad Sheikh Ali Boural to declare himself chairman of the Somali National Front, which is opposed by Omar Haji Muhammadi.

The chairman of the front, Ali Nour Muhammad Mukhtar, was killed in April during a confrontation among the front's members.