A New York Times writer says Somalia's Islamic Courts

• "are pushing for democratic elections"
• sent a letter this week to the United Nations Security Council "pledging to support democratic rule"
• are saying "the sooner the better" with regard to elections

He also mentions "beautifully crumbling ruins" and a "mini building boom," but unfortunately the pictures in the slide show only show the former.

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In other news, the courts have taken Kismayo. The comments at the end of the article are very interesting.