MOGADISHU, 7 March 2005 (BBC)--Renewed fighting between rival militias in central Somalia has left at least 16 people dead, despite a truce arranged last week by President Abdullahi Yusuf.

Gunmen armed with rocket-propelled grenades and anti-aircraft weapons exchanged fire in and around the port town of Hobyo. The latest clashes between sub-groups of the Hawiye clan began on Saturday. Somalia has been without a functioning central government for 14 years, with rival groups battling for control.

Interfering

East African defence ministers are meeting on Monday in Uganda to discuss sending a peacekeeping mission to Somalia, as requested by Mr Yusuf. He wants them to protect his government and help disarm the thousands of militiamen across the country.

But many Somalis are opposed to the involvement of troops from Somalia's neighbours, especially Ethiopia, in the peace force. Key warlords named as members of Mr Yusuf's government have also said neighbouring countries should not send troops.Their stance has been backed by Washington.

Ethiopia, Kenya and Djibouti all have Somali-speaking populations and have been accused of interfering during the years of anarchy. Mr Yusuf arranged a ceasefire in Hobyo last week, during his first official visit to Somalia since being elected last October. He and his government remain in Kenya because Somalia is too dangerous. Mr Yusuf did not visit Mogadishu on his trip. The two sides have repeatedly fought over territory in recent months.

The BBC's Mohammed Olad Hassan in Somalia says more than 100 people have been killed in three months.

He says the two groups were fighting for control of Hobyo