Diffuse continuum emission from the inner Galaxy: First results from INTEGRAL/SPI

We present a preliminary analysis of the diffuse hard X- and soft (gamma)-ray continuum emission from the inner Galactic ridge using INTEGRAL/SPI data from the first Galactic Plane Deep Exposure and Galactic Plane Scans. The spectrum is consistent with results from previous experiments. These early results demonstrate the potential of the INTEGRAL mission for improving our understanding of this emission.