Somalia's interim Prime Minster Ali Khalif Galayr made fresh accusations against Ethiopia on Wednesday. He said Ethiopia was "undermining" and "destabilizing" the Transitional National Government by hosting talks for Somali opposition faction leaders. He made the comments in a press conference in Mogadishu on Wednesday.

Omar Qadi, Director of Policy Planning in the Prime Minster's office told IRIN on Thursday that the TNG was involved in talks with some of the faction leaders and had come "close to an agreement" when the meeting in Ethiopia was initiated. Qadi refused to named the factions the TNG held talks with, saying the government was "still hopeful that once they return to the country we can make a deal with them."

The interim government is worried that Mogadishu is being targeted for destabilization, Qadi said. Responding to whether there any talks between the TNG and the Ethiopian government, he said the TNG was "ready to talk to Ethiopia any time, and at any venue". Ethiopia has always strenuously denied accusations that it is interfering in the affairs of Somalia, and has said it is only interested in facilitating peace.