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Ethiopia starts Somalia pull-out Ethiopia starts Somalia pull-out
(about 1 hour later)
Some 200 Ethiopian troops have been seen leaving the Somali capital, four weeks after they crossed the border to help the government defeat Islamists.Some 200 Ethiopian troops have been seen leaving the Somali capital, four weeks after they crossed the border to help the government defeat Islamists.
"Starting today we will withdraw our forces from Mogadishu," Ethiopia General Suem Hagoss said at a ceremony where warlords surrendered their arms."Starting today we will withdraw our forces from Mogadishu," Ethiopia General Suem Hagoss said at a ceremony where warlords surrendered their arms.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi has told the BBC the withdrawal would take place in three stages.Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi has told the BBC the withdrawal would take place in three stages.
The African Union is trying to set up a peacekeeping force to replace Ethiopia.The African Union is trying to set up a peacekeeping force to replace Ethiopia.
But so far, only Uganda and Malawi have publicly said they would send troops to Somalia.But so far, only Uganda and Malawi have publicly said they would send troops to Somalia.
The BBC's Mohammed Olad in Mogadishu says 200 Ethiopian troops were seen moving out of the airport with armoured vehicles.The BBC's Mohammed Olad in Mogadishu says 200 Ethiopian troops were seen moving out of the airport with armoured vehicles.
POSSIBLE PEACEKEEPERS Nine battalions proposed - up to 9,000 troops:Uganda: 1,500 troops offered, subject to parliamentary approvalMalawi: Up to 1,000 troops offeredTanzania: ConsideringNigeria: ConsideringRwanda: ConsideringSouth Africa: Considering but forces stretched class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/5072268.stm">Profile: Sheikh Ahmed POSSIBLE PEACEKEEPERS Nine battalions proposed - up to 9,000 troops:Uganda: 1,500 troops offered, subject to parliamentary approvalMalawi: Up to 1,000 troops offeredTanzania: ConsideringNigeria: ConsideringRwanda: ConsideringSouth Africa: Considering but forces stretched
General Hagoss said they were reducing the number of forces in the country, but was not specific on how many soldiers will be moving out before AU peacekeepers are deployed.General Hagoss said they were reducing the number of forces in the country, but was not specific on how many soldiers will be moving out before AU peacekeepers are deployed.
"The heroic army of Ethiopia supported the transitional government to restore normality to the country after 16 years of violence," Somali deputy Prime Minister Hussein Mohamed Aidid told the AFP news agency."The heroic army of Ethiopia supported the transitional government to restore normality to the country after 16 years of violence," Somali deputy Prime Minister Hussein Mohamed Aidid told the AFP news agency.
"I thank the people and the government of Ethiopia on behalf of my government.""I thank the people and the government of Ethiopia on behalf of my government."
However, Ethiopia's intervention to help the government oust Islamists who had taken control of Mogadishu and much of southern Somalia was unpopular with many Somalis. However, Prime Minister Mohammed Ali Ghedi denied that the Ethiopians had started to leave Somalia, saying they would stay until the African force had arrived.
Questions
Ethiopia's intervention to help the government oust Islamists who had taken control of Mogadishu and much of southern Somalia was unpopular with many Somalis.
The two countries have fought several border wars in the past.The two countries have fought several border wars in the past.
Profile: Sheikh Ahmed
A crowd of some 200 people gathered at the former National University to see off the Ethiopians, reports the AP news agency.A crowd of some 200 people gathered at the former National University to see off the Ethiopians, reports the AP news agency.
"Leave us alone and let us solve our problems," they chanted."Leave us alone and let us solve our problems," they chanted.
Several of the warlords who have battled for control of Somalia since 1991 have now disbanded their militias.Several of the warlords who have battled for control of Somalia since 1991 have now disbanded their militias.
They have handed their "battle-wagons" - vehicles with mounted anti-aircraft guns - to the government, while the gunmen are to join the putative national army.They have handed their "battle-wagons" - vehicles with mounted anti-aircraft guns - to the government, while the gunmen are to join the putative national army.
But with an estimated 3,500 Islamist fighters in Mogadishu, analysts question whether the government can maintain order without the Ethiopian troops.But with an estimated 3,500 Islamist fighters in Mogadishu, analysts question whether the government can maintain order without the Ethiopian troops.
Islamist talks Reconciliation
In neighbouring Kenya, the authorities have confirmed that one of the Islamist leaders is in their custody. Mr Ghedi called for Islamist leader Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed to be handed over to the Somali government.
Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed surrendered at the weekend and is under police guard in a top Nairobi hotel. He surrendered to the Kenyan authorities at the weekend and is under police guard in a top Nairobi hotel.
Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed surrendered at the weekendHe is the most senior Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) official whose whereabouts are known after they were ousted. He is the most senior Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) official whose whereabouts are known after they were ousted.
The US backed the drive against the UIC but has denied being involved in the questioning of Mr Ahmed. Mr Ghedi also said Mr Ahmed could play a role in Somalia's government, which both the US and the UN have called for.
But US ambassador to Kenya, Michael Ranneberger, who also covers Somalia is to speak to him this week, possibly on Tuesday, embassy spokesperson Jennifer Barnes told AFP. "We have appealed to them to come back home and take part in this [reconciliation] process and Sheikh Sharrif Ahmed is one of them," he said.
"The ambassador will urge [Mr Ahmed] to counsel his supporters not to carry out violence and to support the development of an inclusive government," she said. US ambassador to Kenya, Michael Ranneberger, who also covers Somalia is to speak to Mr Ahmed this week, possibly on Tuesday, embassy spokesperson Jennifer Barnes told AFP.
Mr Ranneberger has previously urged Somalia's president to try to include moderate Islamists, such as Mr Ahmed, in his government. "The ambassador will urge [him] to counsel his supporters not to carry out violence and to support the development of an inclusive government," she said.
However, President Abdullahi Yusuf and other officials have publicly rejected such suggestions, accusing the UIC of having links to al-Qaeda.
UIC leaders have always denied such suggestions.
Meanwhile, at a meeting in Brussels, European Union foreign ministers said they were ready to offer financial support to the proposed peacekeeping force.Meanwhile, at a meeting in Brussels, European Union foreign ministers said they were ready to offer financial support to the proposed peacekeeping force.
The ministers said a sustainable solution to the crisis could be reached, but that there were concerns about the reconciliation of the disparate Somali factions.The ministers said a sustainable solution to the crisis could be reached, but that there were concerns about the reconciliation of the disparate Somali factions.