Forces loyal to the union of Islamic courts have vacated the police station in Beledweyne in central Somalia. The local population has hailed this step.

The withdrawal of these forces from the station came after a meeting between the local elders and commanders of the courts.

The people in beledweyne are fearful of possible confrontation between the insurgency and the Ethiopian forces in which they can be caught in the crossfire.

Osman Adan Arais of radio Simba says “some families have returned to their homes“.

Beledweyne has been changing hands for the last months.