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| UN backs peace force for Somalia | |
| (about 6 hours later) | |
| The United Nations Security Council has approved the deployment of an African Union peacekeeping force to Somalia. | The United Nations Security Council has approved the deployment of an African Union peacekeeping force to Somalia. |
| Somalia has been beset by the heaviest fighting between insurgents and government troops since the withdrawal of Islamist militias last year. | Somalia has been beset by the heaviest fighting between insurgents and government troops since the withdrawal of Islamist militias last year. |
| The 8,000 strong force has a mandate to help stabilise the situation, but only 4,000 troops have been pledged so far. | |
| A resolution has urged all AU member states to contribute troops. Moreover, a UN force may arrive in six months. | A resolution has urged all AU member states to contribute troops. Moreover, a UN force may arrive in six months. |
| Specifically, the resolution, drafted by Britain, authorises the 53 AU member states to deploy for six months a mission to Somalia which will be provided with all the means necessary to accomplish its mandate. | Specifically, the resolution, drafted by Britain, authorises the 53 AU member states to deploy for six months a mission to Somalia which will be provided with all the means necessary to accomplish its mandate. |
| The council has asked UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to investigate the possibility of a UN peacekeeping operation. | The council has asked UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to investigate the possibility of a UN peacekeeping operation. |
| On Tuesday, fierce battles prompted thousands of residents to flee the Somali capital Mogadishu. | On Tuesday, fierce battles prompted thousands of residents to flee the Somali capital Mogadishu. |
| Ethiopian soldiers have started to withdraw after helping the government oust the Islamists. | Ethiopian soldiers have started to withdraw after helping the government oust the Islamists. |
| So far only Uganda, Burundi, Nigeria and Ghana have agreed to send soldiers to the mission. | |
| After 16 years without an effective national government, Mogadishu is awash with weapons. | After 16 years without an effective national government, Mogadishu is awash with weapons. |
| Some Islamist leaders vowed to start a guerrilla war after they were driven out of Mogadishu in December. | |
| But no-one has claimed responsibility for the spate of attacks. |