Ethiopian troops begin withdrawing from Somalia

Ethiopian troops who helped Somalia's fledgling government drive out an Islamic militia last month started withdrawing Tuesday from the Horn of Africa country, a Somali government spokesman said.

"As of today, the Ethiopian troops have started to withdraw from Somalia. We are grateful that they played an important role in the restoration of law and order in the country," Abdirahman Dinari said.

Somali troops, with crucial aid from neighbouring Ethiopia, drove the Council of Islamic Courts out of the capital and much of southern Somalia in an offensive that began late last month.

But violence has been breaking out due to traditional clan rivalries and resentment among Somalis over the presence of Ethiopian forces.

Somalia, a Muslim country, and Ethiopia, which has a large Christian population, fought a brutal war in 1977.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi has been anxious to withdraw his forces and has urged other countries to contribute to a peacekeeping mission.

On Friday, the African Union Peace and Security Council approved a plan to send about 8,000 African peacekeepers, including nine infantry battalions, to Somalia for a six-month mission that would eventually be taken over by the UN.

The council said the initial deployment should have at least three battalions.