An Islamist militia seize Somalia's capital

An Islamist militia says it has seized Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, after weeks of fighting against an alliance of warlords supported by the US. The BBC reports that the warlords have controlled the capital since they toppled Somalia's last effective government 15 years ago. Islamist officials say a meeting is being held to discuss the surrender of fighters still loyal to the warlords. In a statement, Islamic Courts leader Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed said the control of Mogadishu by warlords was over and urged residents to accept the new leadership. President Abdullahi Yusuf urged the US to channel its campaign against Somalia's Islamists through his government, rather than the warlords.