A former close associate of Prime Minister Meles,Gebru Asrat, is a vice-chairman and spokesman for the Forum.

VOA: standard.2009.11.01

Speaking in Amharic through an interpreter, Mr.Meles said the agreement would guarantee a level playing field for all competitors in upcoming parliamentary elections.

VOA: standard.2009.11.01

Prime Minister Meles sat down de-facto with three opposition politicians last week to sign what was hailed as a landmark electoral Code of Conduct.

VOA: standard.2009.11.01

The European badger (Meles meles) is a protected species under European and UK law, but ministers can sanction killing in certain circumstances, including to tackle disease.

BBC: UK public opposed to badger cull, opinion poll suggests

The pictures of Mr Meles plastered around Addis tell a very different story and earlier this month regional leaders including Presidents Yoweri Museveni of Uganda and Ismail Guellehof Djibouti, were among dignitaries that gathered in Addis Ababa for the launch of the Meles Zenawi Foundation.

BBC: Letter from Africa: The legacy of fallen leaders

Mr Meles, who died aged 57 at a Belgian hospital, had ruled Ethiopia since 1991.

BBC: Ethiopia funeral held for church patriarch Abune Paulos