France supports Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi's announcement that the country would withdraw its troops in Somalia within weeks, French Foreign Ministry spokesman Jean-Baptiste Mattei said on Tuesday.

"We have noted Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi's declaration which showed his intention of withdrawing the troops from Somalia," Mattei said in a new release.

"France wishes that African Union might provide the most suitable support for the peace consolidation in Somalia by the deployment of African protection forces, like what is envisioned in 1725 resolution," said Mattei .

France also welcomes the "willingness shown by the Somalian transitional government to engage in a political dialogue," added Mattei, saying the security situation in Somalia still remained "quite unstable."

Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi announced on Tuesday that his country would withdraw its troops from Somalia in two weeks.

Source: Xinhua