Ethiopian Troops begin Somali Withdrawal

Ethiopia has began pulling its troops out of Somalia, a senior adviser to Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi has said. The advisor, Bereket Simon, said a withdrawal plan had been discussed and agreed upon by Ethiopian, African Union (AU) and Somali army officials in Addis Ababa before the pullout began. Ethiopia has helped the fragile interim Somali government ward off a spirited Islamist insurgency for the past two years. There are fears of further insecurity after the vacuum left by the departing troops, alongside hope that the recent resignation of interim President Abdullahi Yusuf could allow the formation of a cohesive, all inclusive government which can bring peace to Somalia.[PE]