Somalia's al-Shabab rebels out of Mogadishume

Somalia's al-Shabab Islamist rebels have pulled out of all positions in the Somali capital of Mogadishu, government and rebel spokesmen say.
President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed declared the rebels defeated after they left overnight on trucks.

However, al-Shabab described the move as a "change of military tactics".

The conflict has hampered aid efforts in the famine-hit country, with the militia barring some aid agencies from central and southern areas it controls.

African Union peacekeepers and government forces have for months been contained to small areas of the capital. Recently they have been battling the rebels in a bid to secure delivery routes for emergency supplies of food, water and medication.