1.   The missiles were fired at clan elders who had met to figure out how to make peace with the U.N.

2.   A group of businessmen and clan elders formed the transitional government last year, but the leaders of some powerful factions have opposed it.

3.   A mediation meeting of clan elders was held in Mandera at the weekend and reached a cease-fire agreement, but people are not yet returning home, Redmond said.

4.   A group of businessmen and clan elders formed the transitional government in Mogadishu last year, but the leaders of the most powerful factions have opposed it.

5.   Ali Mahdi said clan elders handled direct negotiations.

6.   Clan elders have been unsucessful in their attempts to mediate the dispute.

7.   Clan elders and Muslim leaders have taken over most administrative jobs.

8.   Clan elders and Muslim clerics have taken on administrative roles in most parts of the country.

9.   Clan elders have been holding talks to end the fighting, which had not resumed Thursday morning, though the militias appeared to be regrouping.

10.   Clan elders sought Monday to win the release of eight Red Cross workers and two pilots held for six days by gunmen.