Somali President Arrives in Capital for First Time

  07 February 2009

Somalia's President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed arrived in the capital Saturday morning for the first time since he was elected by the country's parliament meeting in Djibouti a week ago.

President Sheikh Sharif did not make any comments when he arrived at the Mogadishu airport, and was quickly taken past cheering supporters to the presidential palace under the protection of government soldiers, militia and African Union peacekeepers.

The new president previously headed the Islamic Courts Union, which controlled much of the country briefly in 2006. He signed a peace agreement with the government last year and is now calling on the country's remaining insurgents to do the same.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP. 

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