Somalia not out of woods yet, Ban says

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UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 2 (UPI) -- Adopting a provisional constitution in Somalia is a significant achievement but doesn't mark the end of the political process, the U.N. secretary-general said.

Somali leaders backed a new constitution that paves the way toward a new central government, something missing from the war-torn country since 1991.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, in a statement issued through his spokesman, congratulated Somali leaders for the important step but warned spoilers against trying to undermine the political process.

"The adoption of the provisional constitution is not the end of the process," the statement read. "It is an important step toward the creation of a better future for all Somalis."

Political progress in Somalia was punctuated by a suicide bombing in the capital this week.

Somali leaders must now set to work on choosing members of the Parliament. Augustine Mahiga, U.N. special envoy to Somalia, said seats on the new assembly shouldn't become "commodities."

The mandate for the interim government in Somalia expires this month.