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Ethiopians 'to remain' in Somalia Ethiopians 'must stay' in Somalia
(10 minutes later)
Ethiopian troops may have to remain in Somalia for months after the defeat of Islamist militias, Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Ghedi has told the BBC.Ethiopian troops may have to remain in Somalia for months after the defeat of Islamist militias, Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Ghedi has told the BBC.
But Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi told MPs he hoped his forces could withdraw within weeks.But Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi told MPs he hoped his forces could withdraw within weeks.
Kenyan forces are on the Somali border, to intercept fleeing Islamist militias after the fall of Kismayo, their last stronghold, on Monday.Kenyan forces are on the Somali border, to intercept fleeing Islamist militias after the fall of Kismayo, their last stronghold, on Monday.
Pressure is mounting for African Union troops to step in to fill any vacuum.Pressure is mounting for African Union troops to step in to fill any vacuum.
Somalia's weak interim government wants Ethiopian forces to remain in the country until peacekeepers deploy as they have few well-trained troops and are poorly placed to maintain law and order without help.
Mr Ghedi said that Uganda and Nigeria have offered to send contingents of troops, but details about who would fund such a force still need to be thrashed out.Mr Ghedi said that Uganda and Nigeria have offered to send contingents of troops, but details about who would fund such a force still need to be thrashed out.
A drive by heavily armed Ethiopian forces and Somali interim government troops in the past fortnight has ended a six-month Islamist occupation of much of southern and central Somalia.A drive by heavily armed Ethiopian forces and Somali interim government troops in the past fortnight has ended a six-month Islamist occupation of much of southern and central Somalia.
But the fragile transitional government has few well-trained troops and is poorly placed to maintain law and order without help.
StayStay
Mr Ghedi told the BBC that Somali troops were ready to take on more responsibility for security in the country, but at first they would need help from the Ethiopians.Mr Ghedi told the BBC that Somali troops were ready to take on more responsibility for security in the country, but at first they would need help from the Ethiopians.
"It depends how the stabilisation and pacification takes place. It can be weeks, it can be months - but not more," he said."It depends how the stabilisation and pacification takes place. It can be weeks, it can be months - but not more," he said.
Somalia's sudden power shift Q&A: Somali conflictSomalia's sudden power shift Q&A: Somali conflict
He appealed for humanitarian aid for the country and urged the AU to send peacekeepers. He appealed for humanitarian aid for the country and urged the AU to send peacekeepers soon.
Mr Meles said the Ethiopian operation in Somalia has achieved most of its objectives and that his troops would withdraw at the earliest opportunity.Mr Meles said the Ethiopian operation in Somalia has achieved most of its objectives and that his troops would withdraw at the earliest opportunity.
But speaking in parliament, Mr Meles said there was still a need to mop up Islamic extremists and to ensure that Somalia does not return to the chaotic rule of the warlords who ran the country after the fall of the last effective government 16 years ago.But speaking in parliament, Mr Meles said there was still a need to mop up Islamic extremists and to ensure that Somalia does not return to the chaotic rule of the warlords who ran the country after the fall of the last effective government 16 years ago.
"We will go out as soon as possible. It could be in two weeks in order to achieve stability," he told MPs."We will go out as soon as possible. It could be in two weeks in order to achieve stability," he told MPs.
On Monday, Mr Ghedi set a deadline of Thursday for residents of the capital, Mogadishu, to hand in their weapons or be forcibly disarmed, but this has reportedly borne little fruit so far.On Monday, Mr Ghedi set a deadline of Thursday for residents of the capital, Mogadishu, to hand in their weapons or be forcibly disarmed, but this has reportedly borne little fruit so far.
ArrestsArrests
Kenya police are questioning 10 people believed to be senior members of Somalia's Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) who fled across the border at the weekend.Kenya police are questioning 10 people believed to be senior members of Somalia's Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) who fled across the border at the weekend.
They are currently being held at the Garrissa police division in northern Kenya.They are currently being held at the Garrissa police division in northern Kenya.
Garrissa District Commissioner Joseph Imbwaga confirmed to the BBC News website that the individuals are being questioned over possible links to the leadership of the UIC.Garrissa District Commissioner Joseph Imbwaga confirmed to the BBC News website that the individuals are being questioned over possible links to the leadership of the UIC.
Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki is chairing an emergency cabinet meeting in Mombasa to discuss developments with key security chiefs also in attendance.Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki is chairing an emergency cabinet meeting in Mombasa to discuss developments with key security chiefs also in attendance.
He has also called for a summit of East African countries to discuss the situation.He has also called for a summit of East African countries to discuss the situation.
Ugandan Foreign Minister Sam Kutesa has told the BBC that his country was ready to commit 1,000 troops as part of an African regional peacekeeping force.Ugandan Foreign Minister Sam Kutesa has told the BBC that his country was ready to commit 1,000 troops as part of an African regional peacekeeping force.
'Won't stop fighting''Won't stop fighting'
The Islamists swept through Somalia last year, driving warlords out and rapidly extending their influence to much of central and southern Somalia.The Islamists swept through Somalia last year, driving warlords out and rapidly extending their influence to much of central and southern Somalia.
The UIC had withdrawn to the port city of Kismayo on Thursday, after abandoning Mogadishu, which it had controlled since June.The UIC had withdrawn to the port city of Kismayo on Thursday, after abandoning Mogadishu, which it had controlled since June.
Ethiopian aircraft and artillery are backing Somalia's governmentEthiopian aircraft and artillery are backing Somalia's government
The militia then left Kismayo before a combined Somali-Ethiopian force arrived on Monday.The militia then left Kismayo before a combined Somali-Ethiopian force arrived on Monday.
Ethiopian troops officially entered Somalia on 24 December, joining fighters loyal to Somalia's interim government, to repel an Islamist assault on the government stronghold of Baidoa.Ethiopian troops officially entered Somalia on 24 December, joining fighters loyal to Somalia's interim government, to repel an Islamist assault on the government stronghold of Baidoa.
Ethiopia accuses the UIC of harbouring al-Qaeda militants. This is denied by the militia.Ethiopia accuses the UIC of harbouring al-Qaeda militants. This is denied by the militia.
The presence of Ethiopian troops on Somali soil could damage the government's attempts to win widespread support, the BBC's Karen Allen says.The presence of Ethiopian troops on Somali soil could damage the government's attempts to win widespread support, the BBC's Karen Allen says.
The UN estimates that about 30,000 people have been displaced during the fighting, and casualties have been high.The UN estimates that about 30,000 people have been displaced during the fighting, and casualties have been high.