Mogadishu faction leader Husayn Muhammad Farah Aydid, 38 years old and a former US marine, was elected to lead the Somali National Alliance (SNA) by the Habar Gedir sub-clan - part of the of Hawiye clan, which controls South of Mogadishu.

He came to power in 1996 after his father, General Muhammad Farah Aydid, died in a factional shoot-out in the capital.

Husayn Muhammad Farah Aydid received A light plane loaded with ammunition yesterday in the city of Mogadishu.

The sources say the plane, which had flown from Baarey south-central Somalia, was carrying the ammunition for Husayn Muhammad Aydid.

The assortment of ammunition was for both light and heavy guns, including Zu (-23 automatic gun). It also included mortar shells.