DUBAI, April 4 (Reuters) - The retreat of Islamists fighters from Mogadishu late last year in the face of an Ethiopian and Somali government offensive was a "tactical" move, a former Islamist leader said in remarks aired on Wednesday.

"We cannot say that there was a defeat. It was a tactical withdrawal," Sheikh Sharif Ahmed told Al Jazeera television.

When asked if the Somalia Islamic Courts Council was involved in the recent fighting in Mogadishu, which aid agencies have called the worst in 15 years, Ahmed indicated it was.

"The resistance which is taking place on the Somali arena is a popular resistance against occupation, aggression and annihilation ... the Islamic Courts are part of the great Somali people," he said.

Since being driven from Mogadishu in late December, after controlling Somalia's anarchic capital for six months, the Islamists scattered to southern Somalia and hardline elements vowed a long guerrilla war.

"The (Islamic) Courts have achieved large successes ... bringing security and stability," he said. "Ninety-five percent of the Somali people support the Islamic Courts."

The Islamists during their brief heyday were quick to claim victories, but they often could not be independently verified.

The superior Ethiopian firepower backing the Somali government made quick work of their poorly trained fighters over a two-week offensive that began in late December.

Washington has said it views Ahmed as a moderate who could help with national reconciliation in Somalia.

But Ahmed charged that the United States helped Ethiopian and government troops in their military campaign at the end of 2006 to rout the Islamists.

The United States "did not have a positive role ... they offered intelligence and took part in the bombing," he said.

"In the final hours our forces were achieving one victory after another then we were surprised with heavy bombing," he said.

"We decided to withdraw and we also learned that there was a conspiracy, in other words there was help from major countries."

Ahmed, who lives in exile in Yemen is seen by many diplomats as a potential player in helping with reconciliation in Somalia.

But security experts say he may have little influence over the hardline Islamists, who are trained in insurgency and are suspected to be involved in ongoing guerrilla attacks against the government in Mogadishu.

Ahmed surrendered to Kenyan authorities on the border in January and met with U.S. diplomats in the African country before leaving for Yemen in February.

Ahmed said U.S. officials have asked the Islamists to take part in national reconciliation talks scheduled for April 16 in Mogadishu but as individuals and not as an organisation.

AlertNet news is provided by