Ethiopian troops in the Ogaden are policing the Somali border and controlling "terrorist activities" and attacks, Teshome told IRIN.

He said the situation in the Ogaden - where Ethiopian troops have been involved in operations against Islamic fundamentalist groups since 1992 - "became serious when Eritrea opened another front" after 1998.

Eritrea had linked up with Mogadishu-based faction leader Hussein Aideed and "anti-peace elements", he added.

Ethiopia had "no intention of violating territory" but because Somalia was a failed state Addis Ababa was "forced to protect the security of the people".

He said Ethiopia still faced a problem with armed fundamentalist groups in the Ogaden-Somalia area, and that the military had to "stay vigilant" in that area.

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