Somalia's new president, Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, has arrived in Mogadishu for the first time since his election by MPs a week ago. Crowds lined the route as Sheikh Sharif, viewed as a moderate Islamist, headed to the presidential palace. Later, mortars were fired at the palace but no casualties were reported. Sheikh Sharif aims to form an inclusive government and extend a hand to armed groups still opposed to UN-sponsored efforts to end civil war and turmoil.
Somalia has had no effective central government for nearly 20 years.
Tens of thousands of people have been killed in successive waves of violence over the years.
Consultations Sheikh Sharif, 44, was elected president on 31 January at a meeting of Somali MPs held in neighbouring Djibouti, replacing President Abdullahi Yusuf who resigned a month earlier after a power struggle..more..http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7876793.stm
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