Somalia's New Leader Sworn InThe new President of Somalia, Abdulkassim Salat Hassan, has been sworn into office at a ceremony in neighbouring Djibouti.Several regional leaders who helped Djibouti negotiate a deal that led to the election of a new administration for Somalia were in the city of Arta for the occasion. Mr Hassan took his vows in front of regional leaders including Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, Sudan's President Omar al-Beshir and Eritrean President Isaias Afewerki. Members of the Somali transitional assembly and several thousand people also gathered in front of the white tent where the ceremony took place. The Sudanese President, Omar Hassan al-Bashir, said he had formally recognised the new Somali state on the spot and promised financial support. A representative from the United Nations also congratulated President Hassan but warned that he and Somalia faced formidable challenges. Mr Hassan, 58, was elected on Friday after three rounds of voting in the 245-member assembly, which is meeting in Djibouti. He is a veteran of the former administration of President Siad Barre, which collapsed in 1991,leaving Somalia without a central government, and ridden with inter-clan violence for nearly a decade. He held several posts including that of minister of interior. Mr Hassan is a member of one of the most influential clans and his election did not surprise many. |
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