Somalia's President Abdullahi Yusuf

An Islamic militia that has seized control of much of southern Somalia and is accused of having links to al-Qaida, denied responsibility.

"The perpetrators of the blast are enemies of Somali people and Islamic courts have no hand in it," said Abdirahman Mudey, a spokesman for the group.

The bomb exploded outside Parliament 10 minutes after Yusuf had given a speech there.

The Japan Times Weekly: Sept. 23, 2006
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