Parliament Picks First President in 9 Years

Somalia’s fledgling parliament elected veteran politician Abdiqassim Salad Hassan as president, the country’s first since it collapsed into anarchy nine years ago. Abdiqassim Salad, 58, served as deputy prime minister and interior minister in the government of dictator Mohamed Siad Barre, whose ouster in 1991 was followed by civil war between rival clan-based factions. Moments after being elected from among 24 candidates, the new president called on all Somalis “to pray for the success of our collective mission.” The parliament, which was formed two weeks ago, has been meeting in neighboring Djibouti. The new president is a member of the Hawiye clan, which dominates in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu.