71.   Ahmad also blamed Nangialai, saying there had been tension between the two faction leaders since Nangialai arrived in the region two months ago and argued with Uddin.

72.   Although faction leaders have promised to protect aid workers in flooded regions, the agencies fear free-lance bandits might attack their employees.

73.   Aidid and other faction leaders refused to attend the gathering in Arta unless their clan-based political factions were recognized.

74.   Aidid, who controls part of south Mogadishu, is the son of the late faction leader Mohamed Farah Aidid.

75.   Although faction leaders have promised to protect aid workers, the agencies fear freelance bandits might attack their employees.

76.   Ali Mahdi Mohamed, a north Mogadishu faction leader, would be president, and Aidid, who controls the south of the capital, would be prime minister.

77.   Ali Mahdi Mohamed, a principal faction leader and a member of the National Coordination Committee, told reporters in Mogadishu the delay was due to lack of funds.

78.   Among the newspapers named in a statement from the information ministry Tuesday were those owned by rival faction leaders and presidential candidates, Charles Taylor and Alhaji Kromah.

79.   An armed Muslim fundamentalist group on Sunday rejected a new plan by Somali faction leaders to form the first national government in six years.

80.   American officials spoke with faction leaders, warning them to tell their followers to stay away from the compound.