MOGADISHU. Oct 9: Fugitive Somali warlord Mohamed Farah Aideed said today that he was ready for a ceasefire in Somalia and agreed with a US proposal to resolve differences "peacefully." reports AFP.

In a broadcast on his rebel radio station Aideed said he would also accept a US proposal for an Ethiopian-led independent investigation into the June 5 killings of 23 Pakistani UN troops in an ambush, for which he was held responsible by the United Nations.

Speaking on the radio at 8.20 pm (1720 GMT). Aideed said: The SNA (Aldeed's movement, the Somali National AlUance) is proposing a total ceasefire not to attack the US and UN forces.

“We also proposed the US government and UN stop any attacks and any of the terrorising of the Somali republic." Aideed said.

Aideed said his militia would accept an investigation into the killing of 24 Pakistani peacekeepers on June 5. UN forces have been hunting Aideed since June, saying they want to put him on trial for ordering the

massacre of the Pakistanis.

He sent condolences to the families of Somalis and UN peacekeepers killed in fighting and said Somalis should settle their own affairs and enejpd his brief speech with the words: "Peace. Justice, progress."

Earlier, Aideed called for a ceasefire and said a ceasefire will benefit everybody including Somalis. So there will be no more losses like last Sunday. Burhan Gutale spokesman for SNA said.

Thirteen US troops were killed In Sunday's fighting -12 on Sunday and one later .In hospital in Germany. Four other bodies have been found and if identified as US troops will bring the US death toll to 17.

Hospital staff and relief agencies here said scores of Somalis were also killed in Sunday’s battle, when rangers found themselves trapped by Somali gunmen after capturing 24 of Aideed's aides.

Meanwhile. Reuter adds: US President Bill Clinton's special envoy to Somalia arrived in Ethiopia today to push attempts to arrange a ceasefire with Aideed.

Diplomats said Robert Oakley was carrying a message from Clinton for Ethiopian President Meles Zenawi requesting he take an active role in trying to mediate an end to the crisis.

US diplomats said Oakley was trying to negotiate a ceasefire in exchange for a US commitment to suspend efforts to capture Aideed.

There are discussions un-. derway but it would be incorrect to say that any deal has been struck." one US official told Reuters, adding: "I doubt If anything is likely on this before tomorrow (Saturday).

There would be a ceasefire and the United States would agree to suspend its efforts to apprehend Aideed." said the official.

In a sharp reversal of poHcy. Oakley is expected to push Meles to set up an international inquiry Into violence in Mogadishu blamed on Aideed.

Another report says, a senior Italian general today said Rome would be willing to mediate between the United States and Somali warlord if Washington suspended military/actions.