Argaw Ashine
22 May 2008
Addis Ababa — Ethiopian prime Minster, Meles Zenawi has said his troops may withdraw from Somalia any time soon, but would never countenance any threat against Ethiopia.
Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday, Mr Zenawi disclosed that Ethiopian troops would stay in Somalia until his country was convinced that there is no imminent danger from the "Jjihaddist" groups against Ethiopia.
"We may withdraw from Somalia soon, but we would never leave our Somali brothers in the middle of crisis" the prime minister said.
He said he hopes that more countries would send peace keeping troops to Somalia in the coming months.
Mr Zenawi said Ethiopia is confident of securing a safe corridor to port Djibouti, if the war broke out between Eritrea and Djibouti.
"If it is beyond Djibouti's control and Eritrea tries to block the route to the port, we are ready to secure and protect a safe route," he said.
Djibouti has accused Eritrean soldiers of entering its territory in recent weeks.
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