MOGADISHU: Somalia has the best chance for peace in 16 years, but its leaders must reach out to their enemies to break the cycle of violence, a UN envoy said on a landmark visit to Mogadishu on Thursday.

Francois Fall, special representative of UN chief Ban Ki-Moon, used his first visit to the Somali capital since the ouster of hardline Islamists last month to stress the need for reconciliation.

He also added to a chorus of disapproval over the controversial sacking of the speaker of parliament, a move the government said was a matter for the Somali people and no-one else.

Somalia has been without an effective central authority since the 1991 ouster of dictator Mohamed Siad Barre presaged an incessant round of clashes between rival warlords.

But Mr Fall said the dramatic events of the last month, which saw the Islamists flee Mogadishu and replaced by the interim regime, was an opportunity to start over with a clean slate.

“This is the best opportunity for peace for 16 years in Somalia and we must not waste it,” said Mr Fall after meeting with President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed and Mogadishu's newly installed mayor Mohamed Ali Hassan “Adde”.

“There has been a lot of crime, a lot of devastation but if you look back and say this man killed my son or husband you will never be reconciled in this country,” he said.

Mr Fall was accompanied by a heavy convoy of gunmen on pickups as he was driven through streets which have served as the battleground in the conflict between the warlords.

The envoy took the presence of one of Somalia's most notorious warlord General Morgan (known as the Butcher of Hargeisa) at his talks with Yusuf as a positive sign.

“We don't want anymore warlords in Somalia, we will not tolerate that. We want a government,” he said.

Yusuf, who has a struck a disarmament deal with the warlords, said Gen Morgan's -- whose real name is Siad Hersi -- presence was a signal of the reconciliation process.

“As you can see, reconciliation is going on. We are meeting all the faction leaders,” Yusuf said.

“Today we are disarming them and I think everyone is very happy now.” The government and Fall were however at loggerheads over Wednesday's dismissal of speaker Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden, which the envoy called “unfortunate”.

His comments echoed those of the US State Department which called the move “disappointing”.

Analysts have also warned of the impact on the removal of the maverick Aden who had angered many within the parliament and government for pursuing freelance peace efforts with the now-vanquished Islamists.

“The speaker has been one of the most popular and respected politicians since the TFI (transitional federal institutions) were formed,” said Matt Bryden of the International Crisis Group.

“He didn't have a lot of powers but symbolically he represents the views of Somalis who didn't want to choose between the TFG and the Islamists... In the mid and long-term, it is a recipe for instability.” Government spokesman Abdirahman Dinari defended the dismissal which was approved by an overwhelming majority.

“We told him (Fall) that the speaker of parliament was sacked legally and ... and it is for the Somali community to decide who is good for them,” Dinari said.—AFP