Americans say a not so fond farewell to Somalia

Marines lowering the US and Marine flags over brigade headquarters in Mogadishu yesterday. Six Cobra helicopters swooped low as the last few dozen troops from a force that at its height reached 28,000 headed towards four warships lying offshore. 'See ya. We're outta here. We accomplished our mission,' said one officer. The withdrawal leaves a depleted UN force to deal with a country with no government, bedevilled by banditry and ravaged by cholera.

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