SOMALI RIVALS AGREE ON JOINT ARMY!

Gunmen loyal to Islamic courts took control of Mogadishu in June. Somalia's interim government and a rival Islamist militia that holds much of the south of the country have agreed in principle to form a national army. The deal is part of a broader accord, struck after three days of talks in Sudan mediated by the Arab League. The rivals also agreed to avoid seeking aid from foreign powers and affirmed an earlier truce, threatened by the Islamists' recent territorial gains.

Somalia has had no effective central government since 1991. The interim government, based in the city of Baidoa, has the support of the UN and US but its forces have failed to check the rapid rise of the Islamist militia, the Union of Islamic courts. The Union of Islamic Courts took control of the capital, Mogadishu, in June as well as several central and southern parts of the country. The meeting in Khartoum, Sudan, marks the first time the two sides have spoken to each other directly since June. Under the deal struck on Monday, the parties agreed "to build armed forces like an army and police" incorporating militias loyal to the Islamic courts, the government and others.

Q&A: Islamist advance

Details on the formation of the new force are expected to be fleshed out after the two sides have resolved key political differences. The Islamists and the interim government are expected to meet next on 30 October to discuss power-sharing and security issues. The deal struck on Monday also calls for both sides to resist involving Somalia's neighbours in the conflict. The Islamists have accused the government of bolstering its defences with troops from Ethiopia, while they in turn have been accused of using military backing from Eritrea. Under Monday's deal, both sides will also be required to respect an earlier truce, struck in June. The two parties have been accusing each other of violating the June deal.

BBC NEWS REPORT.