18 so call "ministers" resign to protest "PM's" decision to deploy Ethiopian occupation troops to protect his pro-western "government" from Islamic force.
Somalia's transitional puppet "government" on Friday downplayed the resignation of 18 so call "cabinet ministers" as the national assembly prepared to debate a motion of no confidence in "Prime Minister" Ali Mohamed Gedi, officials said.
"Deputy Information Minister" Salad Ali Jeeley said Gedi would replace the "ministers" who quit on Thursday protesting a decision to deploy Ethiopian troops to protect his fragile puppet government from an advance by Islamic force.
"The resignations will not undermine the performance of the government, which is committed to serve the interest of the Somali people," Jeeley said from the temporary seat of puppet "government" in Baidoa, about 250 kilometres (155 miles) northwest of the capital Mogadishu.
"All those who resigned will be replaced as soon as possible," he added.
The prime minister was also in consultation ahead of a weekend debate on a vote of confidence, which seeks throw out the 18-month-old government that has been unable to exert control across the shattered Horn of Africa nation.
"The government will defeat the vote of no confidence set for debate on Saturday. I am confident that the motion will be thrown," Jeeley asserted.
Last week's deployment of occupation Ethiopian troops in Baidoa and outlying outposts to bolster the fledgling puppet "government's" weak defences from a feared attack by powerful Islamic force, who control the capital Mogadishu and much of southern Somalia, has split the transitional parliament.
The puppet "government", formed in Kenya late 2004 after more than two years of so call "peace talks". Since then more than 14 internationally-backed initiatives have failed to yield a government.
KC
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