Somali militiamen hold weapons they looted after Islamists Courts Council fled Mogadishu December 28, 2006. Triumphant Somali government forces marched into Mogadishu on Thursday after Islamist rivals abandoned the war-scarred city they have held for six months in the face of an Ethiopian-backed advance.   (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery >>>

    NAIROBI, Dec 28 (Xinhua) -- Somali Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Gedi said on Thursday that the government troops had entered the capital of Mogadishu, reports reaching here said.

    Gedi was quoted as saying that the troops were already inside Mogadishu in some areas.

    Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said on Sunday evening the country's troops were forced into a war against Somalia's Union of Islamic Courts.

    Somali Islamic courts pulled out of the capital of Mogadishu on Thursday as forces of Ethiopia and Somali Transitional Federal Government prepared to launch attacks there.

A Somalian stands next to an armoured vehicle, which the Islamists Courts Council surrendered, in Mogadishu December 28, 2006.    (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery >>>

   Latest report:

    Spokesman: Somali PM, gov't to relocate in Mogadishu

    NAIROBI, Dec. 28 (Xinhua) -- Somali Prime Minister Ali Mohammed Gedi and the entire cabinet will move base to the capital Mogadishu after the withdrawal of the Union of Islamic Courts which had ruled the city since June, a government spokesman said on Thursday.

    "It is not only the prime minister but the entire government, the entire cabinet, members of parliament and assistant ministers. They will go to Mogadishu to organize the population to welcome the Somali forces," Abdirahman Dinari, government spokesman told Xinhua by telephone from Somalia. 

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