Somali govt troops enter Mogadishu outskirts-witness

MOGADISHU, Dec 28 (Reuters) Somali government troops entered the outskirts of Mogadishu today in a convoy of scores of military vehicles, a witness said.

''People are cheering as they wave flowers to the troops,'' resident Abdikadar Abdulle told Reuters, adding that they had passed Somalia National University, west of the city centre.

He said dozens of infantrymen were walking ahead of about 100 ''technicals'' -- pick-up trucks fitted with heavy weapons.

''I can see governments troops are greeting people. I was greeted by some of them,'' Abdulle said by telephone. ''They told me thank you for welcoming us.'' Rival Islamists earlier fled the capital as a joint force of Ethiopian and government soldiers advanced.

REUTERS PDM KN1803