"NOW OR NEVER"
The Somali opposition conference delegates have expressed sympathy towards Islamist-led insurgents fighting Ethiopian and government troops since the start of 2007.
And spokesman Abdi sent a blunt message:
"I would warn the Ethiopian occupying forces to withdraw. It's now or never ... We have no military machines, but we have Somalis who are armed to the teeth," he said. Abdi added, however, that the group would dissolve once the Ethiopians left.
It was unclear what war strategy the alliance might pursue, and how it could link up with insurgents on the ground, but Abdi confirmed the new movement would include a military wing.
With 191 members of a central committee, the alliance includes well-known figures like Islamist leader Sheikh Sharif Ahmed -- considered a moderate in the Islamic Courts movement -- and former deputy prime minister Hussein Aideed.
Analysts said the only possible upside from the alliance would be to provide a unified movement to negotiate with, should the international community be able to broker talks.
Hardline cleric Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys, another senior leader of the courts movement on U.N. and U.S. lists of terrorism suspects, showed up at the Eritrea meeting after being in hiding for most of 2006. But it was not clear what position, if any, he would take in the alliance.
Analysts said the alliance was unlikely to make him one of their frontmen as that would alienate some potential support.
In an interview with Eritrean state media published on Wednesday, Aweys criticised Washington. "I am a Somali nationalist fighting for a free and united Somalia, and this is considered by the U.S. Administration as terrorism," he said.
Regional diplomats believe the United States gave tacit blessing for Ethiopia's entry into Somalia in 2006, although Prime Minister Meles Zenawi has denied that.
