4 killed as rival Somali rebels clash

Mogadishu: Clashes between rival Somali rebels have killed at least four people on Wednesday.

Hardline Al Shabaab fighters battled with more moderate Islamic Courts militia on Tuesday in Al Garas, a town 50 kilometres southeast of the central town of Dusamareb.

Both sides used heavy machine guns a rocket grenades.

One witness, resident Amina Olow saw four dead gunmen. She said the day-long battle began after Al Shabaab commanders ordered the Islamic Courts troops to hand over their weapons.

Somali rebels have been clashing with the government for nearly two years, but divisions between hardliners and moderates have been their main weakness.

The most prominent moderate Islamist, Shaikh Sharif Ahmed, has been in talks with government and landed in the capital on Wednesday, where security had been tightened.

"He is peace loving and we are sure he will change a lot in the situation of Somalia," presidential spokesman Hussein Mohamed Mohamud said. "He will also tell the truth to the Somalis who were confused and disturbed by Al Shabaab."