Ethiopian PM tells African envoys he will protect civilians in Tigray

Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed addresses the legislators on the current situation of the country inside the Parliament Buildings in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia February 3, 2020. REUTERS/Tiksa Negeri

ADDIS ABABA/NAIROBI (Reuters) - Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government will protect civilians in the northern region of Tigray, he told African peace envoys on Friday, a day after he announced the military was beginning the "final phase" of an offensive there.

But a statement issued after their meeting made no mention of talks with the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) to end fighting that began on Nov. 4.