NAIROBI, Dec 15, SPA -- The African Union has urgedSomalia's President Abdullahi Yusuf and the prime minister hesacked at the weekend to overcome their differences and worktogether for peace in the chaotic country, reuters reported. Yusuf said on Sunday he had fired Hassan Hussein Nur afterthey disagreed over posts in a new cabinet, sought by donorcountries and regional leaders at a time Islamist insurgents arepoised on the outskirts of the capital. The pair also differed on the direction of U.N.-hosted talksthat aim to get the Western-backed government to share powerwith moderate Islamist opposition figures. African Union Commission Chairman Jean Ping said the primeminister's dismissal would undermine efforts to bring peace andfurther weaken the transitional federal government. "The chairperson ... urges them to overcome the internecinedivisions that are consuming their energy, in order to meet thedaunting challenges confronting their country," Ping said in astatement late on Sunday. The African Union has 3,200 peacekeepers guarding key sitesin Mogadishu, but Ethiopia has said the African troops plan topull out when it withdraws its forces which have been proppingup the government. Ethiopia plans to pull out within weeks. The former prime minister headed the Red Crescent Society inSomalia before he was appointed after the dismissal of hispredecessor, Ali Mohamed Gedi, late last year.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/616448