Ethiopia does not have any agenda in Somalia but wants to avert the threat posed to its sovereignty by the extremist leadership of the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC), the Ministry of Information said on Saturday.

The ministry said in a weekly statement that the principal mission of Ethiopian forces is dissolving the war declared by the extremist leadership of the UIC and ensuring the sovereignty of Ethiopia, adding that they have no intention of a prolonged stay inside Somalia.

"Ethiopia believes that the task of bringing about reliable and lasting peace and development in Somalia is the responsibility of Somalia's Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and its people," the statement said.

"This position of Ethiopia will enable it to enhance friendly ties and cooperation between the peoples of the two countries," said the ministry.

"The war declared by forces of destruction in Somalia has been averted successfully," it said.

"Their hostile acts and rhetoric witnessed in the last six months have been routed by the joint counteroffensive measures of the Ethiopian Defense Forces and the TFG forces."

On Friday, Somalia's interim Prime Minister Ali Mohamad Ghedi entered the Somali capital Mogadishu, marking the first time the country's transitional government has been in a position to exercise full authority in the capital.

Several thousands militiamen loyal to the UIC have now abandoned the city for their last stronghold in the port of Kismayo, 500 km to the south.

But the UIC has said their retreat is only a tactic and they would fight a long battle.

Source: Xinhua