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Somali troops take key locations Mogadishu crowds greet Somali PM
(about 1 hour later)
Ethiopian-backed Somali government troops have taken over control of the Somali's capital's port and airport. Somalia's interim Prime Minister Ali Mohamad Ghedi has entered the capital, Mogadishu, heading an armoured convoy.
His arrival came a day after his Ethiopian-backed forces drove Islamist fighters out of the city.
Reports said cheering crowds lined the streets to welcome Mr Ghedi, who has declared three-months of martial law.
But some are opposed to Ethiopia's role in Somalia, with large protests in Mogadishu as Ethiopian soldiers helped secure the city's port and airport.
Some protesters threw stones as convoys passed into Mogadishu, but after shots were fired into the air their way was uninterrupted and other people cheered.Some protesters threw stones as convoys passed into Mogadishu, but after shots were fired into the air their way was uninterrupted and other people cheered.
Interim Prime Minister Ali Mohamad Ghedi has entered the city, according to reports. He has declared a three-month period of martial law. This country has experienced anarchy and in order to restore security we need a strong hand, especially with freelance militias Ali Mohamad Ghedi
Correspondents say Mr Ghedi's arrival in Mogadishu marks the first time the country's transitional government has been in a position to exercise full authority in the capital.
But a leader of the Islamists who fled says they will never leave Somalia.But a leader of the Islamists who fled says they will never leave Somalia.
Several thousand militiamen loyal to the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC), which ruled Mogadishu and much of Somalia for the last six months, abandoned the city to go to their last stronghold in the port of Kismayo, 500 km (300 miles) to the south.Several thousand militiamen loyal to the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC), which ruled Mogadishu and much of Somalia for the last six months, abandoned the city to go to their last stronghold in the port of Kismayo, 500 km (300 miles) to the south.
Ethiopian jets have flown low over the town.Ethiopian jets have flown low over the town.
DefiantDefiant
The BBC's Mohamed Olad Hassan in Mogadishu says thousands of troops were escorting the government's deputy defence minister, Salad Ali Jelle, around the city. The BBC's Mohamed Olad Hassan in Mogadishu said the city appeared calm as night fell at the start of the Islamic Eid holiday.
This country has experienced anarchy and in order to restore security we need a strong hand PM Ali Mohamad Ghedi Q&A: Somali conflict Eyewitness: Fear and anger Conflict in pictures This country has experienced anarchy and in order to restore security we need a strong hand PM Ali Mohamad Ghedi Q&A: Somali conflict Eyewitness: Fear and anger Conflict in pictures
He negotiated the transfer of key installations such as the port and main airport to the government. But earlier there were large demonstrations, with thousands of people protesting against Ethiopian troops.
The troops have already taken control of the UIC's headquarters in the north and the former US embassy compound in the south. Ethiopian-backed troops have already taken control of the UIC's headquarters in the north and the former US embassy compound in the south.
Journalists photographing the troops arrival had their digital cameras' memory cards confiscated. Journalists photographing the troops arrival had digital cameras' memory cards confiscated.
Mr Ghedi has been holding talks with clan leaders on the outskirts of Mogadishu to agree other arrangements for taking over the capital. Mr Ghedi held talks with clan leaders on the outskirts of Mogadishu before entering the capital.
Until now, the transitional administration he leads has been based in the central town of Baidoa.Until now, the transitional administration he leads has been based in the central town of Baidoa.
"This country has experienced anarchy and in order to restore security we need a strong hand, especially with freelance militias," he said."This country has experienced anarchy and in order to restore security we need a strong hand, especially with freelance militias," he said.
There have been reports of gunfire and looting since Islamist forces left. There have already been reports of gunfire and looting since Islamist forces left.
But ahead of the Eid holiday, our correspondent says the city is quiet.
People went to Friday prayers as normal in the morning.
Speaking from Kismayo, a UIC leader said they would fight on, although they are reported to have sustained heavy loses.
"We will not leave Somalia. We will not run away from our enemies," Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed told AP news agency.
Heavy lossesHeavy losses
Meanwhile, Ethiopia's Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin has flown by helicopter to Baidoa for talks.Meanwhile, Ethiopia's Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin has flown by helicopter to Baidoa for talks.
In parts of Mogadishu, life seemed to be going on as normal There is fierce opposition to Ethiopia in northern Mogadishu
He said the situation in Somalia was stable and very promising.He said the situation in Somalia was stable and very promising.
The African Union has called for Ethiopian forces, who launched a large-scale offensive in support of the government over the weekend, to leave Somalia. The African Union has called for Ethiopian forces to leave Somalia, but the United Nations Security Council failed to agree on a statement calling for the withdrawal of all foreign forces.
The United Nations Security Council failed to agree on a statement calling for the withdrawal of all foreign forces.
The UN says its aid flights are due to resume on Saturday, after being suspended during the past week because of the fighting.
Much of Somalia faces food shortages because of recent heavy floods.Much of Somalia faces food shortages because of recent heavy floods.
The UN says its aid flights are due to resume on Saturday, after being suspended during the past week because of the fighting.
The UN estimates that about 30,000 people have been displaced during the fighting and causalities have been high.The UN estimates that about 30,000 people have been displaced during the fighting and causalities have been high.
""Hundreds of young people have been killed in the last few days," Eric Laroche, co-ordinator of the UN's civilian and humanitarian programmes in Somalia, told the BBC's Network Africa programme. Hundreds of young people have been killed and some 800 people, mainly on the Islamic side, have been treated in hospital, a UN official said.
"There have been 800 people hospitalised from both sides, but particularly from the Islamic side." And more than 150 people on board refugees on board boats that capsized off the coast of Yemen on Thursday are all presumed dead, the UN refugee agency said..
Uniting forceUniting force
The UIC assumed control of the capital in June, driving warlords out and rapidly extending their influence to much of southern SomaliaThe UIC assumed control of the capital in June, driving warlords out and rapidly extending their influence to much of southern Somalia
HAVE YOUR SAY What the Ethiopian government doesn't understand is that it is making a continual enemy to Ethiopians at large Tsegaye Girma, Addis Ababa Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY What the Ethiopian government doesn't understand is that it is making a continual enemy to Ethiopians at large Tsegaye Girma, Addis Ababa Send us your comments
Some analysts say the UIC's popularity stemmed from their ability to transcend clan enmities that have bedevilled Somalia since the overthrow of former President Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991.Some analysts say the UIC's popularity stemmed from their ability to transcend clan enmities that have bedevilled Somalia since the overthrow of former President Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991.
Almost all Somalis are Muslim, and after years of lawlessness many were happy to have some kind of law and order under the UIC.Almost all Somalis are Muslim, and after years of lawlessness many were happy to have some kind of law and order under the UIC.
But some are wary of the hardline elements among the UIC.But some are wary of the hardline elements among the UIC.
The UIC have staged public executions and floggings of people they have found guilty of crimes such as murder and selling drugs.The UIC have staged public executions and floggings of people they have found guilty of crimes such as murder and selling drugs.
UIC leader Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys is accused by both Ethiopia and the US of having links to al-Qaeda - charges he denies.UIC leader Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys is accused by both Ethiopia and the US of having links to al-Qaeda - charges he denies.