Prime Minister Meles Press Conference on Somalia Operations

(29/12/2006)

Ethiopian Prime Minister has said that the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) has melted away and its grassroots militia have surrendered, leaving Mogadishu on Wednesday evening and Thursday morning.  

Speaking to journalists during a press conference yesterday afternoon, Prime Minister Meles said that the fundamentalist leadership of the UIC had crumpled, leaving only remnants of the extremist group moving towards the coastline.

According to the Prime Minister the grassroots UIC militia returned to their clan areas and surrendered their weapons to their respective clan leaders, while the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia and Ethiopian defence forces were now in consultations with the elders of Mogadishu to ensure that the city does not descend into disorder.

The Prime Minister also reiterated that Ethiopia’s objective was limited and targeted at defending against the attacks of extremist forces on Ethiopia and Somalia. Once it’s mission was completed, the Ethiopian defence force would withdraw from Somalia, which he hoped would be within the next few days, or few weeks at the most.

The Prime Minister also noted that contrary to rumours, the United States of America had not been involved in any way with military operations in Somalia. However, the long standing arrangement to share intelligence on terrorist activities in the region had not stopped during the operation.

ENDS