Egypt expressed
support for the new president of Somalia on Monday, calling on other countries
to stand beside the new government of the war-torn African country, but Libya
assumed a more cautious stance. "Egypt
hopes these steps will be the beginning of a new phase bringing to an end the
suffering of Somalis that has lasted 10 years," a foreign ministry statement said.
"Egypt calls on all countries and concerned parties to stand by the new-born Somali
legitimate (government) and offer all assistance possible to rebuild the institutions
of the state." Abdiqassim
Salad Hassan was elected on Saturday by a parliament-in-exile formed less than
two weeks ago in the tiny Red Sea nation of Djibouti as part of a peace initiative
which could not have been safely convened on Somali soil. Libya's
official in charge of African affairs Ali Tureiki suggested support should come
when Hassan had the backing of all factions in Somalia, a member of the Cairo-based
Arab League.
"We hope a government will be formed, but there are some elements who refuse to
join this initiative," he told reporters after talks in Cairo with Egyptian Foreign
Minister Amr Moussa.
"We will try to convince these elements to realize reconciliation. Then
we will have a role as Arabs to rebuild Somalia." Hassan served as deputy prime
minister and interior minister in the government of former dictator Mohamed Siad
Barre, whose overthrow in 1991 was followed by a civil war between clan-based
factions. Some of them have reportedly threatened to oppose Hassan | 
