Adis Abba,(insidesomalia.org)- Ethiopia may withdraw its troops from Somalia before the nation's transitional federal government stabilizes and begins functioning, the Financial Times reported, citing Prime Minister Meles Zenawi.

Zenawi's remarks signal a policy shift because Ethiopia has previously said it will remain in Somalia until the interim government is in control, the London-based newspaper said.

Ethiopia's withdrawal from Somalia while it remains lawless and violent may result in the state falling into a deeper crisis, the daily said. Ethiopia is closer to withdrawing its troops than at any time in the past, the FT said, citing unidentified analysts.