Mogadishu, (insidesomalia.org)- The local leadership of the Islamic courts union has given detalks over consultation talks with Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed.

The local leader of the Islamic courts union sheikh Abdiqadir Ali Omar who joined the sheikh Sharif’s movement on the situation of Somalia told Shebelle that their talks with sheikh Sharif who is the chairman of ARS was how to get to the bottom of  the disagreements within the UIC.

“We talked about many important issues including the decision of UIC leader’s congregation in one reconciliation meeting, and Sheikh Sharif ccepted to participate” Sheikh Omar said.

Asked about his relation with sheikh Sharif has shruged off direct answer of that query saying that there have been different contacts with members of the opposition group of Alliance for the relibertion of Somalia in particular Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys.

He further said that they’ve asked Sheikh Hassan how he would work on the obliteration

Of the added disagreements within the top officials of ARS.

On October 26, the wing of the ARS headed by Sheikh Sharif signed an agreement with their erstwhile foes from the Ethiopian-backed transitional federal administration to kick-start peace efforts.

It calls for an Ethiopian troop pullback and ceasefire to start this month and the activation of joint security units to gradually take over until UN peacekeepers are deployed.

Sheikh Sharif's ICU currently controls the town of Jowhar, located 90 kilometres (55 miles) north of Mogadishu, from which Ethiopian troops recently pulled out.

In 2006 the ICU took control of much of Somalia, triggering an invasion by neighbouring Ethiopia, which propped up an embattled transitional government and soon ousted the Islamists.

While the ICU's political leadership largely fled to Eritrea, the movement's military and youth wing, the Shebab, switched to guerrilla warfare.

The Shebab, which rejected the Djibouti deal, have relentlessly targeted Ethiopian troops, Somali government forces and African Union peacekeepers, and recently made substantial territorial gains in southern and central Somalia.

They have refused to negotiate with the transitional administration until a full Ethiopian pullout is completed.

In exile in Eritrea last year, Sheikh Sharif founded the umbrella opposition group ARS to push for an Ethiopian withdrawal, but he has emerged as the leading figure of the more moderate fringe among the Islamists.

"We need to fulfill our commitments and implement what we have agreed on behalf of you. So you must understand that responsibility and support us to live up to the huge task ahead," he told his supporters Saturday.

Thousands gathered at the dusty Jowhar airfield to welcome him.

Heavily armed ICU fighters secured the town and patrolled the road linking the airstrip to the town centre. "We have tightened security and our forces are patrolling the entire region," Sheikh Yusuf Mohamed, an Islamist official in charge of security, told AFP.

"All residents have gone out today to welcome the only leader they can believe will work for their safety. He is a great peace-loving leader who compromised for the sake of his ailing nation," said Sheikh Mohamed Suldan, a local elder who helped organise Sheikh Sharif's return.

The crowd waved branches and banners as he drove through town and chanted slogans such "Welcome home, father of peace!"

Among the by-standers was Halimo Ahmed, a mother of four. "We need peace and we support anyone who understands the value of peace. And that person is Sheikh Sharif," she said.

Source Shabelle Media Network