Mogadishu — Somalia's Premier Ali Mohammed Gedi, who has held a press conference in Mogadishu for the second consecutive day, called on the people in Mogadishu to disarm themselves and bring their weapons to specific areas in the capital. He said they would be disarmed forcefully if they did not do as asked within the upcoming three days.

He said, "Individuals or groups of people who have trucks mounted with anti-aircraft guns, known as 'technicals' should bring those battlewagons at Mogadishu's old port. Ethiopian and Somali officers will register the names of the people and figures of the weapons at the presidential building, Villa Somalia."

Gedi has also pointed out that the weapons would also be taken away from local business companies that are heavily armed in three days. "We have convened with local business companies in Mogadishu and discussed the collection of arms in the capital," he added.

Gedi has confirmed that Ethiopian and government troops have seized control of the port city of Kismayu after a 13-day attacks against Somalia's once most powerful Islamists.

Gedi said his government would extend amnesty to Islamists if they gave up.

Islamists, who were accused of giving a safe heaven to three most wanted men indicted by the US government for bombing US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania in 1998, have reportedly escaped to Kenya.

He said he asked the Kenyan government to close its border from the escaping Islamists.

Kenyan president Mwai Kibaki urged heads of East African states to come to an urgent meeting over the developing events in Somalia. Kenya that now holds the rotating presidency of the regional body, IGAD, says stability in Somalia will give the Horn of Africa a reliable security and peace.

Islamists in Kismayu reportedly disintegrated after about 40 of the Islamist militiamen refused to take part in the fight with the Ethiopian and government forces. Witnesses said that conflict between them triggered great disappointments in their preparedness to fight.

Islamists have been in control of most parts of the country for the past six months.