November 14, 2008	Friday	Ziqa'ad 15, 1429

MOGADISHU, Nov 13: Somalia’s Shebab fighters imposed Sharia law on the port of Merka on Thursday, as the Islamist group continued to tighten its grip on the Horn of Arica country.

Hours after taking over Merka town, some 100 kms south of Mogadishu on Wednesday, Shebab commander Mohamed Sheikh Abdi Muse ordered traders to close businesses during prayer time.

“Our aim is to implement Islamic Sharia in the region and everybody should know that we are equal,” Muse told a crowd of residents.

“No one will be more important than the other and people should respect each other by obeying the orders of Allah.” The Shebab is the resurgent military and youth wing of the Islamic Courts Union which briefly ruled most of the country before being ousted in 2006.

Many locals have welcomed the Shebab’s takeover of the town, accusing the ousted local gunmen of extortion and blaming them for rising insecurity.

“We need peace and stability. Let them impose strict rules,” said Mohamed Abdullahi, a resident.

The Shebab said they would not disrupt operations at Merka port, a key entry point for the international food aid urgently needed by more than a third of Somalia’s population.

“We will not hamper humanitarian workers and their activities. What we need is to implement Sharia law but not to harm the people,” said Sheikh Mohamed Isak, a Shebab

leader.—AFP