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Ethiopia army trainers in Somalia Somali Islamists 'near Ethiopia'
(9 minutes later)
Ethiopia's prime minister has for the first time admitted to having soldiers inside Somalia. Ethiopia's prime minister has warned parliament that Somali Islamist fighters are massing near the border.
Meles Zenawi told parliament that he had sent military trainers to help the beleaguered interim government. Meles Zenawi said Ethiopian troops were ready to defend themselves against possible attack.
But he denied sending a fighting force, despite several eyewitness reports of hundreds of troops. He also said he had sent military trainers to help Somalia's beleaguered government but they were not to fight.
Ethiopia backs Somalia's government against an Islamist group which now controls most of the south. The Islamists deny having al-Qaeda links. Somalia's Islamists have declared "holy war" on Ethiopia, raising fears of a regional conflict. They deny Ethiopian claims they have al-Qaeda links.
There have been several eyewitness reports of hundreds of Ethiopian troops in Somalia.
Foreign Islamists
Meanwhile, Somalia's President Abdullahi Yusuf has accused the Union of Islamic Courts of flying the "black flag of the Taleban" and al-Qaeda, reports the AFP news agency.Meanwhile, Somalia's President Abdullahi Yusuf has accused the Union of Islamic Courts of flying the "black flag of the Taleban" and al-Qaeda, reports the AFP news agency.
Islamist radicals from Afghanistan, Chechnya, Arab nations and Europe "make up a considerable number" of UIC forces, which were now dominated by hardliners, he said.Islamist radicals from Afghanistan, Chechnya, Arab nations and Europe "make up a considerable number" of UIC forces, which were now dominated by hardliners, he said.
"The [Islamists] draw massive, material, financial and military support from international terror networks," he told a meeting in Kenya of the International Contact Group on Somalia led by the United States."The [Islamists] draw massive, material, financial and military support from international terror networks," he told a meeting in Kenya of the International Contact Group on Somalia led by the United States.
Mr Meles did not say how many military trainers were in Somalia but accused the Union of Islamic Courts of attacking targets inside Ethiopia.Mr Meles did not say how many military trainers were in Somalia but accused the Union of Islamic Courts of attacking targets inside Ethiopia.
"We have the right to defend ourselves against these people. We have been very patient throughout this ordeal," he told parliament."We have the right to defend ourselves against these people. We have been very patient throughout this ordeal," he told parliament.
"If the incursion continues... the armed forces have a duty to respond to that. But at this moment, it has not reached this level.""If the incursion continues... the armed forces have a duty to respond to that. But at this moment, it has not reached this level."
Earlier this month, residents of a Somali town said that Ethiopian troops had helped government forces briefly take a town from the Union of Islamic Courts.Earlier this month, residents of a Somali town said that Ethiopian troops had helped government forces briefly take a town from the Union of Islamic Courts.
The UIC immediately vowed to wage a "holy war" in revenge.The UIC immediately vowed to wage a "holy war" in revenge.
The town of Bur Haqaba lies on the road from the government base in Baidoa to the Islamist-held capital, Mogadishu.The town of Bur Haqaba lies on the road from the government base in Baidoa to the Islamist-held capital, Mogadishu.
Earlier, the BBC's Mohammed Olad Hassan in Baidoa saw a convoy of Ethiopian army trucks pass through, with about 200 troops.Earlier, the BBC's Mohammed Olad Hassan in Baidoa saw a convoy of Ethiopian army trucks pass through, with about 200 troops.
TalksTalks
US Assistant Secretary for African affairs Jendayi Fraser is chairing the meeting in Kenya of the 11 members of the contact group.US Assistant Secretary for African affairs Jendayi Fraser is chairing the meeting in Kenya of the 11 members of the contact group.
The UIC foreign affairs co-ordinator was expected to attend along with other foreign diplomats. The UIC foreign affairs co-ordinator was expected to attend, along with other foreign diplomats.
Somalia has not had a functioning national government since 1991.Somalia has not had a functioning national government since 1991.