UN, regional leaders congratulate Somalia's new president

By Mohammed Dhaysane

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AA) - The United Nations and Somalia's neighbors on Monday congratulated Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, the new president of the Horn of Africa country, announcing their commitment to work with the new administration.

Mohamud has been elected president on Sunday after he received 214 parliamentary votes, defeating outgoing President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed.

In a statement, the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) said the UN "looks forward to working with him and his team to advance national priorities, such as peace, security and stability, in the coming years."

Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh called the election of the new president a testament to the resilience of Somali institutions and a historic moment for all Somalis.

"May Allah Almighty assist him in the great task ahead," Guelleh said on Twitter.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, a close friend of the outgoing president, also sent his congratulatory message, saying he looks forward to working closely with the new president on "common bilateral and regional interests."