In Somalia, at least 800 people have been wounded and thousands displaced in ongoing clashes between Islamic fighters and forces backing the Somali government. On Tuesday, the U.N. envoy to Somalia, François Lonseny Fall, called for an immediate end to the fighting.

U.N. Envoy to Somalia François Lonseny Fall: “The crisis in Somalia has escalated dangerously as the hostilities between the transnational government and the Union of Islamic Courts have now expanded across a 400-kilometer-wide front. The conflict now involves foreign forces and use of heavy weapons and aircraft. The deteriorating situation in Somalia has no doubt dealt a serious blow to efforts aimed at the early resumption of peace talks. The fighting has also compounded an already serious humanitarian crisis resulting in additional displacement of populations.”

Both sides have refused to lay down arms. Ethiopian troops are in Somalia backing the government.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi: “We have a mission to do. We have done more than half of our mission already. As soon as we complete the other half — and it won’t take us long — we will be out of there so they won’t have a target to fight against.”

The State Department said Tuesday it is backing Ethiopia’s involvement in Somalia.