Ethiopia scoffs at Somali Islamist jihad appeal

ADDIS ABABA, Dec 23 (Reuters) Ethiopia today said an appeal to foreign Muslim fighters by Somalia's Islamists proved the ''extremism'' of the movement Addis Ababa accuses of being run by al Qaeda-linked militants.

''If wishes were horses, the extremists in the Islamic Courts Union would have attacked Addis Ababa by now,'' Foreign Ministry spokesman, Ambassador Solomon Abede, told Reuters.

''Their declaration appealing to foreign Muslim fighters to help in war against Ethiopia proves their extremist behaviour.'' Addis Ababa was reacting to comments from Islamist defence chief Yusuf Mohamed Siad, known as Inda'ade, who told a news conference in Mogadishu that Somalia was open to Muslims worldwide to come and fight against Ethiopia.

His comments came as there was a lull in fighting today morning after four days of clashes between Islamist forces and pro-government troops that have killed dozens and wounded hundreds.

REUTERS LL VV1634