Reliable reports say sharp differences have emerged between the interim prime minister, Ali Khalif Galayr, and the president of the Transitional Government of Somalia, Dr Abdiqasim Salad Hasan.

Premier Galayr and members of the cabinet from the Hawiye sub clans yesterday held a meeting and discussed at length what may have caused the differences between the two leaders and how to resolve them.

Reports we received from authoritative sources say the differences between the two leaders had been existing for a long time but had not been disclosed to the press. The difference between the two is said to have reached a stage where the two leaders no longer trusted each other.

Cabinet ministers from the Hawiye sub clans have been making efforts to get a lasting solution to the problem between Premier Galayr and President Abdiqasim, which is reportedly taking an ugly turn.