US hails resignation of Somali leader

The United States hailed the resignation of Somali President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed on Monday, but called for a swift election of his successor and formation of a national unity government.
The 74-year-old stepped down following a bitter power struggle, two weeks after his attempt to sack and replace Prime Minister Prime Minister Nur Hassan Hussein in defiance of lawmakers failed.
The move also came just days from a planned Ethiopian troop pullout.
Ethiopia sent in troops in late 2006 in a bid to rescue the internationally-backed transitional government and prevent the emergence of an Islamic republic on its doorstep, but has said it will withdraw its forces by January 5 at the very latest. more..http://rawstory.com/news/afp/US_hails_resignation_of_Somali_lead_12292008.html