At least three killed in Somaliland election protests

In Somaliland, a breakaway part of Somalia, violent skirmishes between police and protesters have resulted in at least three fatalities.

After two opposition parties called for protests to put pressure on the government not to postpone the elections slated for November, hundreds went to the streets on Thursday in key towns.

The Kulmiye Party, led by President Muse Bihi Abdi, advocates completing the registration of new parties first.

The demonstrations were restricted to certain places after officials issued licenses.

Ibrahim Abdi Haji, the chief of Somaliland's police operations, claimed that arrests had been made and that several individuals, including police personnel, had been hurt during the protests.

According to Mr. Haji, "leaders of the opposition parties will be answerable for what happened."

One of the groups that organized the protests has denied using violence.

The leader of the UCID party, Faisal Ali Warabe, is alleged to have assured his followers that they were only expressing their democratic rights and that no one could quiet them.

If an electoral deal cannot be achieved, Somaliland's successes in democratic administration may be in jeopardy, according to the US Embassy in Mogadishu.

The northern portion of Somalia declared independence thirty years ago and has since lobbied for international recognition.