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Ethiopia troops 'leave Mogadishu' Ethiopia troops 'leave Mogadishu'
(about 2 hours later)
Ethiopian troops have withdrawn from their main bases in the Somali capital two years after they intervened in Mogadishu, reports say. Ethiopian troops have withdrawn from two of their main bases in the Somali capital two years after they intervened in Mogadishu to oust Islamist forces.
There were scenes of jubilation among Mogadishu residents as the troops left. Mogadishu residents gathered at the empty bases, singing and dancing. Some said they could now return to home.
The troops entered Somalia in 2006 to help government forces oust Islamists, who again control much of the country. A ceremony is being held later to mark the handover of security to government forces and moderate Islamists.
A small African Union peacekeeping force provides security in Mogadishu but analysts say it is not strong enough to withstand the Islamists. Some fear that the Ethiopian withdrawal could lead to a power vacuum, others say it could pave the way for peace.
The departure of the Ethiopians gives urgency to efforts to find more peacekeepers, says the BBC's Elizabeth Blunt in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa. The Ethiopian presence was deeply unpopular with many Somalis and different groups were united in opposing them.
Western diplomats say their withdrawal could reduce support for hardline Islamists and lead to moderates joining a government of national unity.
A small African Union peacekeeping force remains in Mogadishu but analysts say it is not strong enough to withstand the Islamists, who once more control much of southern Somalia.
Uganda, Burundi and Nigeria are willing to send extra troops but the African Union has no money to pay for them and is wary of taking on an open-ended commitment.
Some 16,000 civilians have been killed in the conflict between Somalia's transitional government and the Islamists, and a million more have been forced from their homes.Some 16,000 civilians have been killed in the conflict between Somalia's transitional government and the Islamists, and a million more have been forced from their homes.
Strategic
Violence continues in Mogadishu. On Monday, at least 10 people were killed in clashes between the Ethiopians and insurgents.
The BBC's Mohamed Olad Hassan in Mogadishu says the two bases were in the north-east of the city where there have been daily clashes between the Ethiopians and Islamist insurgents.
An opposition spokesman says the Ethiopians will also withdraw from their other bases on Tuesday.Islamist insurgents control much of Mogadishu now
Our reporter says there are three remaining military bases, but the withdrawal from the strategic north-east of the city is seen as a strong signal that the Ethiopians are leaving.
The withdrawal in the north-east took place overnight, he says.
When Mogadishu residents heard about it in the morning, they flocked to the area to see the empty bases for themselves.
The withdrawal was part of a peace plan agreed by the government and moderate Islamists in October which required a pull-out in late November last year.The withdrawal was part of a peace plan agreed by the government and moderate Islamists in October which required a pull-out in late November last year.
Small group of Ethiopian troops have been seen heading for the border in recent days.Small group of Ethiopian troops have been seen heading for the border in recent days.
For days Somalis have been keeping a distrustful watch on the Ethiopian troops left in the country, suspicious that despite all their promises they were not really going to leave, our Addis Ababa correspondent says. For days Somalis have been keeping a distrustful watch on the Ethiopian troops left in the country, suspicious that despite all their promises they were not really going to leave, correspondents say.
Dangerous Singing and dancing
Increasingly urgent efforts are now going on to strengthen the small African Union force, she says. A ceremony is taking place at the prime minister's office in the centre of the city, where the Ethiopians are handing over responsibility for Mogadishu's security to the interim government, the moderate Islamist opposition and AU peacekeepers.
Uganda, Burundi and Nigeria are willing to send extra troops but the African Union has no money to pay for them and is wary of taking on an open-ended commitment. Increasingly urgent efforts are now going on to strengthen the small African Union force.
Potential donor countries have been invited to a meeting this Saturday at African Union headquarters.Potential donor countries have been invited to a meeting this Saturday at African Union headquarters.
The US has now circulated a draft resolution at the United Nations proposing that the UN take over eventual responsibility for a peacekeeping force in Somalia.The US has now circulated a draft resolution at the United Nations proposing that the UN take over eventual responsibility for a peacekeeping force in Somalia.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon recently said this was not realistic as Somalia was too dangerous. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon recently last month the time was not right for this, as Somalia was too dangerous and few countries wanted to send their troops.
Somalia has not had an effective national government since 1991, since when various militias have been battling for control.