Somalia's defence minister resigns

Mogadishu, 10 June-(ANA)-Somalia's defence minister, who is leading the fight against Islamist insurgents, has resigned from the embattled transitional government.

Yusuf Mohammed Siad, a close ally of Islamist President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, said he was leaving as the government had failed to restore order.

Two other ministers tendered their resignation letters from London and another from neighbouring Kenya.

Much of southern Somalia is under the control of al-Qaeda inspired militants.

The country has not had a unified functioning government since 1991. (ANA)

FA/ANA/10 June 2010----------