Albanians Asked To Safeguard Aid

Premier Bashkim Fino pleaded with Albanians on Wednesday to lay down their arms and give safe passage to European aid shipments to help stave off famine.

European Union ministers have agreed to provide an initial $2.3 million in food and other relief - but only if Albania safeguards the aid workers and shipments, Fino said in an address carried on state television.

An EU civilian and military delegation is headed to Albania to offer guidance in ending a month-old insurgency that has killed more than 160 people and sent nearly 12,000 Albanians fleeing to Italy.

Meanwhile, the evacuation of U.S. and other civilians from Albania is complete, the Pentagon said, but about 100 Marines will remain in the capital Tirana to protect the U.S. Embassy and its housing compound.