Ethiopian troops have begun pulling out of Somalia after supporting its Western-backed government for two years.
They quit four of their main bases in Mogadishu, heralding an uncertain new chapter for the anarchic Horn of Africa nation. At a farewell ceremony in the presidential palace, Somali Prime Minister Nur Hassan Hussein confirmed the pullout was underway. Insurgents have been fighting the interim government and Ethiopian forces for two years, since Addis Ababa sent soldiers to help drive a sharia courts group out of Mogadishu. Sonia Legg reports.SOUNDBITE: Colonel Gabre Yohanes, Ethiopian Commander, saying (Amharic):"The international community will now help the Somali people resolve their differences and they will. We did our best, better than any of the other neighbours of Somalia, and now we are getting out Somalia."
Halima Hirsi Ali, Mogadishy resident, saying (Somali):"Today is an historical day. I don't know how to describe how I am feeling because I am very very happy about today's departure of Ethiopian forces from our country."
