The spokesman of the rebel Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), Getachew Reda, has said despite organised withdrawal of Eritrean forces from Tigray Region, "small units" still remain in the region.

Mr Getachew made the remarks during a news conference with local media after the first meeting between TPLF officials and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, the TPLF-run Tigray TV reported.

"Although there were occasions when they [Eritrean troops] withdrew in an organised manner, there are instances of in and out of small units, and this should be addressed fully," said Mr Getachew.

He added that they agreed during last week's meeting with the prime minister that federal forces should be deployed in areas bordering Eritrea “to ensure security as part of the Pretoria [peace] agreement”.

The AU brokered a deal between the the TPLF and the Ethiopian government in November 2022 to end hostilities and to restore basic services to Tigray region.