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Ethiopia seeking Somalia pullout Ethiopia warned on Somali pullout
(20 minutes later)
Ethiopia's prime minister has said he wants to withdraw all his troops from neighbouring Somalia, where they helped oust Islamists last year. The US and the African Union have warned Ethiopia not to withdraw its troops from Somalia before peacekeepers was deployed to replace them.
Meles Zenawi told the BBC that he hoped African Union peacekeepers would deploy soon to relieve his troops. AU commission chief Alpha Oumar Konare says it would be a "catastrophe" if Ethiopia pulled out too soon.
One of the AU leaders says it would be a "catastrophe" if Ethiopia pulled out before the AU troops arrived. US Africa envoy Jendayi Frazer said it would probably be several months before the full peacekeeping force arrived.
Earlier, Ethiopia's prime minister said he wanted to withdraw all his troops, after they helped oust Islamists.
Up to a third of the population fled recent fighting in the capital, Mogadishu, and badly need aid.Up to a third of the population fled recent fighting in the capital, Mogadishu, and badly need aid.
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Less than 40% of the estimated 300,00 displaced Somalis are receiving any help, according to UN humanitarian relief chief John Holmes.Less than 40% of the estimated 300,00 displaced Somalis are receiving any help, according to UN humanitarian relief chief John Holmes.
After a visit to Mogadishu, he said Somalia now represents a worse displacement crisis than Sudan's Darfur region.After a visit to Mogadishu, he said Somalia now represents a worse displacement crisis than Sudan's Darfur region.
'Onerous''Onerous'
Mr Meles said he wanted to end the "onerous" financial burden of having Ethiopian troops, estimated to be several thousand in number, in Somalia. Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said he wanted to end the "onerous" financial burden of having Ethiopian troops, estimated to be several thousand in number, in Somalia.
"Things have improved significantly in Mogadishu, making it possible for peacekeeping troops to do their job," he said."Things have improved significantly in Mogadishu, making it possible for peacekeeping troops to do their job," he said.
Clan rivalries behind violence Doctor's story: 'Too many patients'Clan rivalries behind violence Doctor's story: 'Too many patients'
"I very much hope and expect that those African countries that have promised to send troops will do so.""I very much hope and expect that those African countries that have promised to send troops will do so."
AU Commission chief Alpha Oumar Konare told the AFP news agency that Ethiopia must wait for the AU forces. Mr Konare told the AFP news agency that Ethiopia must wait for the AU forces.
"If Ethiopia withdrew from Somalia today, it would be a catastrophe," he said."If Ethiopia withdrew from Somalia today, it would be a catastrophe," he said.
He said Ethiopia had done the job of the AU but its continued presence could "block political dialogue" in Somalia.He said Ethiopia had done the job of the AU but its continued presence could "block political dialogue" in Somalia.
But Ms Frazer said that an Ethiopian withdrawal before the AU troops arrived would lead to a security vacuum.
"It would be a mistake for Ethiopia to withdraw. That said, we certainly want them to withdraw from Somalia as soon as possible," she told the BBC's Newshour programme.
Ethiopia has twice fought border wars with Somalia and is widely distrusted there.Ethiopia has twice fought border wars with Somalia and is widely distrusted there.
So far, Uganda has sent 1,700 peacekeepers but the AU says another 6,300 troops are needed.So far, Uganda has sent 1,700 peacekeepers but the AU says another 6,300 troops are needed.
Nigeria, Burundi and Ghana have all promised to contribute to the AU force.Nigeria, Burundi and Ghana have all promised to contribute to the AU force.
Mr Meles said the "organised resistance" of the Islamists had now been "broken".Mr Meles said the "organised resistance" of the Islamists had now been "broken".
The Ethiopia-backed government says it is in control of Mogadishu after what is seen as the worst fighting in 16 years in the city.The Ethiopia-backed government says it is in control of Mogadishu after what is seen as the worst fighting in 16 years in the city.
But gunmen attacked a World Health Organization office in the city on Monday night, injuring a guard, WHO officials say.But gunmen attacked a World Health Organization office in the city on Monday night, injuring a guard, WHO officials say.
CholeraCholera
Aid workers have accused authorities of hindering the passage of food aid at checkpoints set up across Mogadishu.Aid workers have accused authorities of hindering the passage of food aid at checkpoints set up across Mogadishu.
"We estimate that we are only reach 35 - 40% of those in need," Mr Holmes said. "We estimate that we are only reach 35 to 40% of those in need," Mr Holmes said.
Mr Holmes described conditions in Mogadishu as "depressing""Many are already suffering from a cholera outbreak."Mr Holmes described conditions in Mogadishu as "depressing""Many are already suffering from a cholera outbreak."
Mr Holmes said international law had been violated by the fighting factions in the city, saying that some citizens had disappeared without explanation.Mr Holmes said international law had been violated by the fighting factions in the city, saying that some citizens had disappeared without explanation.
"Clearly, human rights abuses have taken place, but the government categorically denied reports and accusations of their involvement," he said."Clearly, human rights abuses have taken place, but the government categorically denied reports and accusations of their involvement," he said.
He said the government had promised to co-operate with a planned UN investigation into the reports.He said the government had promised to co-operate with a planned UN investigation into the reports.
Mr Holmes, the most senior UN official to visit the city in more than a decade, had to cut short his trip on Saturday, after bombs exploded in Mogadishu, killing three people.Mr Holmes, the most senior UN official to visit the city in more than a decade, had to cut short his trip on Saturday, after bombs exploded in Mogadishu, killing three people.
Somalia has been without an effective national government for 16 years, controlled by rival militias and awash with guns.Somalia has been without an effective national government for 16 years, controlled by rival militias and awash with guns.