Somalia's Prime Minister Prepares to Enter Mogadishu

Somalia's interim Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Gedi is expected to enter the capital Mogadishu Friday, a day after Islamist forces abandoned the city.

Mr. Gedi said his government now has the difficult task of rebuilding the lawless city and restoring security. He met Thursday with local clan leaders outside the capital to discuss the city's handover.

Islamist fighters left their posts as government forces advanced on the city Thursday after a week of fighting.

Somali government troops and their Ethiopian allies are in Mogadishu. Witnesses say while some residents are cheering the pro-government forces, but tension remains high.

There are reports of looting and gunfire, and witnesses say at least five people have been killed in the violence.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said his forces killed between two and three thousand Islamist fighters in the last week. Those figures could not be confirmed. Mr. Meles said Ethiopian troops will remain in Somalia a few more weeks to help stabilize the country.

The fighting in Somalia broke out December 19th, after months of rising tension as Islamists took over much of the country's center and south.

The Islamists had earlier declared a "holy war" on Ethiopia, which backs Somalia's weak-but-internationally recognized interim government.

Somalia has not had an effective central government since 1991, when warlords overthrew dictator Mohamed Siad Barre.

By VOA News