Hawiye militia men supporting Hussein Aideed in south Mogadishu have looted the doors and windows of Villa Somalia, the former presidential residence now used by the faction leader.

Reliable sources in Mogadishu told IRIN that the armed supporters were "angry because they feel so hungry".

The looting was done during the night this week, and about 200 militia men remain in the Villa Somalia compound "waiting for Hussein Aideed to do something for them", said the sources.

Hussein Aideed has held talks with the militia men but has not carried out any arrests - "because they are from his clan", IRIN was told. The situation was described by sources in Mogadishu as an "obstacle" to the faction leader.

Faction leader Ali Mahdi Mohammed, in north Mogadishu, experienced the same problem last year.

Militiamen provide clan support but few receive any payment. The power of faction leaders depends on the armed clan members, which makes discipline in such circumstances unlikely.

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