Somali govt troops capture Islamist refuge- govt

MOGADISHU, Jan 13 (Reuters) Somali government troops, backed by Ethiopian forces, have captured a southern refuge of fleeing Islamists after several weeks of open warfare, government spokesman Abdirahman Dinari said today.

''The government took over the last Islamist stronghold of Ras Kamboni yesterday evening after fighting in the morning,'' he said, referring to the coastal village near the Kenyan border where many fugitive Islamists were believed to be holed up.

''Most of the wanted terrorists have either died or fled. They are hiding in the forests ... Government forces are still chasing them.'' REUTERS SY RAI1157