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Mogadishu crowds greet Somali PM | Mogadishu crowds greet Somali PM |
(about 6 hours later) | |
Somalia's interim Prime Minister Ali Mohamad Ghedi has entered the capital, Mogadishu, heading an armoured convoy. | 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. | 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. | 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 thousands protesting in Mogadishu as Ethiopian soldiers secured the city's port and airport. | But some are opposed to Ethiopia's role in Somalia, with thousands protesting in Mogadishu as Ethiopian soldiers secured 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. |
Today is the beginning of a new life, new stabilisation and a new future for Somalia Ali Mohamad GhediInterim Prime Minister Anxious times in Mogadishu | Today is the beginning of a new life, new stabilisation and a new future for Somalia Ali Mohamad GhediInterim Prime Minister Anxious times in Mogadishu |
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. | 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. |
Speaking in Mogadishu, Mr Ghedi said he believed most of the UIC's forces were destroyed in the fighting. | Speaking in Mogadishu, Mr Ghedi said he believed most of the UIC's forces were destroyed in the fighting. |
"Today is the beginning of a new life, new stabilisation and a new future for Somalia," the Associated Press news agency quoted him as saying. | "Today is the beginning of a new life, new stabilisation and a new future for Somalia," the Associated Press news agency quoted him as saying. |
Several thousands militiamen loyal to the UIC have now abandoned the city for their last stronghold in the port of Kismayo, 500km (300 miles) to the south. | Several thousands militiamen loyal to the UIC have now abandoned the city for their last stronghold in the port of Kismayo, 500km (300 miles) to the south. |
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. |
Defiant | Defiant |
The BBC's Mohamed Olad Hassan in Mogadishu said the city appeared calm as night fell at the start of the Islamic Eid holiday. | 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 |
But earlier there were large demonstrations, with thousands of people protesting against Ethiopian troops. | But earlier there were large demonstrations, with thousands of people protesting against Ethiopian troops. |
Ethiopian-backed 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. |
Mr Ghedi, previously based in the central town of Baidoa, held talks with clan leaders on the outskirts of Mogadishu before entering the capital. | Mr Ghedi, previously based in the central town of Baidoa, held talks with clan leaders on the outskirts of Mogadishu before entering the capital. |
"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 already been reports of gunfire and looting since Islamist forces left. | There have already been reports of gunfire and looting since Islamist forces left. |
Heavy losses | Heavy 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. |
There is fierce opposition to Ethiopia in northern MogadishuHe said the situation in Somalia was stable and very promising. | There is fierce opposition to Ethiopia in northern MogadishuHe said the situation in Somalia was stable and very promising. |
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 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. |
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 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 and some 800 people, mainly on the Islamic side, have been treated in hospital, a UN official said. | 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. |
And more than 150 refugees on board boats that capsized off the coast of Yemen on Thursday are all presumed dead, the UN refugee agency said. | |
Uniting force | Uniting force |
The UIC assumed control of the capital in June, driving warlords out and rapidly extending their influence to much of southern Somalia | The 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 comments | 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 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. |