UN to fund Ethiopians
in Somalia
The UN has reportedly agreed to
provide Ethiopia with financial and military support in the
country's battle against Somali insurgents.
The agreement is a result of negotiations between Ethiopian Prime
Minister Meles Zanawi and UN Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose
Migiro in the Ethiopian capital Adis Ababa, sources in Somalia's
presidential palace told Press TV.
The deal aims at curbing violence
and facilitating counterinsurgency activities in Somalia, the
sources added.
In 2006, Ethiopian soldiers entered Somalia to back the country's
embattled Transitional Federal Government (TFG). Ever since, Somalis
have been the casualty of the troops' unceasing struggle against the
insurgents.
The agreement was reportedly reached between Zenawi and UN Deputy
Secretary-General, Asha-Rose Migiro.
The death toll on the side of Somalis was so extensive that it
prompted the Ethiopian authorities to consider withdrawal. Last
week, Zenawi said poor 'commitment' on the part of the Somali
government would leave Ethiopia no choice but to pull the forces out
of Somalia.
Ten Ethiopians were said to have been killed during the their most
recent engagement with the insurgents in the town of Bardale
southeast of the capital Mogadishu. The confrontation also claimed
30 Somali soldiers.
The accommodation, however, marks a coup for the Ethiopian side
following reports of Adis Ababa's abortive attempts at seeking
support from the European Union.
Source:Press TV
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