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| Islamists take bases in Mogadishu | Islamists take bases in Mogadishu |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| The last Ethiopian troops in Somalia's capital have left Mogadishu, two years after they captured it from Islamists who again control much of it. | The last Ethiopian troops in Somalia's capital have left Mogadishu, two years after they captured it from Islamists who again control much of it. |
| A BBC reporter says most of the six vacated bases have been taken over by insurgents from different factions, seemingly working together. | A BBC reporter says most of the six vacated bases have been taken over by insurgents from different factions, seemingly working together. |
| Troops loyal to the interim government have control of only two of the bases. | Troops loyal to the interim government have control of only two of the bases. |
| Meanwhile, as Somali Prime Minister Nur Hassan Hussein appealed for peace, he said would stand for the presidency. | Meanwhile, as Somali Prime Minister Nur Hassan Hussein appealed for peace, he said would stand for the presidency. |
| Abdullahi Yusuf resigned as president last month after falling out with Mr Hussein over attempts to negotiate a peace deal with the Islamist-led armed opposition. | Abdullahi Yusuf resigned as president last month after falling out with Mr Hussein over attempts to negotiate a peace deal with the Islamist-led armed opposition. |
| But the opposition is split into various factions, and the more hardline groups do not support the peace process. | But the opposition is split into various factions, and the more hardline groups do not support the peace process. |
| Power vacuum | Power vacuum |
| The BBC's Mohamed Dhore in Mogadishu says African Union peacekeepers are guarding Mogadishu's presidential palace, but most positions in the capital have been filled by Islamist insurgents. | |
| Only stupid people would repeat everything they did in the past. So obviously if we were to do it again we would do it better Ethiopian PM Meles Zenawi New year heralds new Somali fears | Only stupid people would repeat everything they did in the past. So obviously if we were to do it again we would do it better Ethiopian PM Meles Zenawi New year heralds new Somali fears |
| He says government troops are in the former Ethiopian base at the southern entrance to the city and at the empty central hospital, Digfer. | He says government troops are in the former Ethiopian base at the southern entrance to the city and at the empty central hospital, Digfer. |
| Analysts had feared the withdrawal of the Ethiopians would leave to a power vacuum and fighting between rival Islamist factions. | |
| But at the moment all factions - whether they back the peace process with the government or not - seem to be working together. | But at the moment all factions - whether they back the peace process with the government or not - seem to be working together. |
| 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. |
| Hindsight | Hindsight |
| Meanwhile, Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi has been defending his decision to oust Islamists two years ago. | Meanwhile, Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi has been defending his decision to oust Islamists two years ago. |
| Thousands of Mogadishu's residents have fled over the last two years | Thousands of Mogadishu's residents have fled over the last two years |
| He said the reason Ethiopia had intervened was to avert a clear and present danger to its own security and because it was asked to by the Somali transitional government. | He said the reason Ethiopia had intervened was to avert a clear and present danger to its own security and because it was asked to by the Somali transitional government. |
| Bringing peace and stability was something Somalis could only do themselves, he said. | |
| Speaking at a news conference in the Ethiopia capital, Addis Ababa, he said that with hindsight, he would do the same again. | Speaking at a news conference in the Ethiopia capital, Addis Ababa, he said that with hindsight, he would do the same again. |
| "I would without hesitation, have intervened again if I had to do it all over again," he said. | "I would without hesitation, have intervened again if I had to do it all over again," he said. |
| "Now that does not mean I would repeat all the specifics of that intervention. | "Now that does not mean I would repeat all the specifics of that intervention. |
| "Only stupid people would repeat everything they did in the past. So obviously if we were to do it again we would do it better. But we would do it nonetheless." | "Only stupid people would repeat everything they did in the past. So obviously if we were to do it again we would do it better. But we would do it nonetheless." |
| The US wants the United Nations to take over peacekeeping duties from the African Union. | The US wants the United Nations to take over peacekeeping duties from the African Union. |
| But last month UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said few countries were willing to send troops to Somalia, as there was no peace to keep. | But last month UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said few countries were willing to send troops to Somalia, as there was no peace to keep. |
| Somalia has not had an effective national government since 1991, since when various militias have been battling for control. | Somalia has not had an effective national government since 1991, since when various militias have been battling for control. |