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US congratulates Somalia's new president, calls for support

Other News Materials 1 February 2009 06:14 (UTC +04:00)

The United States Saturday congratulated moderate Islamist Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed on his election as Somalia's new president and urged him to reach out to other Somalis "who reject violence" in forming a new government, dpa reported.

In a statement issued by the US embassy in Nairobi and released in Washington, the United States noted that Sheikh Sharif was a strong proponent of international mediation and "has worked diligently on reconciliation efforts in Somalia."

"We encourage all Somalis to support the president and his government and urge members of the Somali leadership to concentrate on security and good governance in this transitional period," officials said in their statement.

The US vowed support for Sheikh Sharif's efforts to "establish democracy and achieve peace in Somalia."

Sheikh Sharif was sworn in as president on Saturday just hours after his election during an all-night parliamentary session held in neighbouring Djibouti.

Observers said they believe Sheikh Sharif is the best candidate to unite warring Islamic factions in the Horn of Africa country, which has been plagued by chaos since the 1991 ouster of former dictator Mohamed Siad Barre.

Sheikh Sharif, 44, took the oath of office in time to fly to the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, for an African Union summit.

Local media reported that many Somalis stayed up all night to hear the result, and when it became clear that Sheikh Sharif would win, fired celebratory shots in the air in Mogadishu.

Sheikh Sharif received 293 votes out of 420 ballots cast with Barre's son Maslah Mohamed Siad receiving 126 votes.

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