MOGADISHU, Somalia, Aug. 29 (UPI) -- Somalia made great political progress by electing a new speaker of Parliament, though a complete assembly needs to be seated, a U.N. official said.
Somali leaders last week inaugurated a Parliament to end its formal transition period. There hasn't been a formal central government in Somalia since 1991.
Leaders, in an overwhelming show of support, elected Mohammed Osman Jawari as the speaker of Parliament.
U.N. Special Envoy to Somalia Augustine Mahiga said the appointment paved the way to the eventual selection of deputy leaders. A presidential vote could take place as soon as early September, he said.
"This is a moment of progress and optimism," he said in a statement.
Mahiga noted, however, that the Parliament is 15 members short of its 275-seat makeup.
"It is vital that a complete Parliament is seated as quickly as possible in order to ensure that the election of the president can be accomplished in accordance with the agreed timetable," he said.
U.N. officials expressed concern that some of the seats in the legislative assembly would be awarded through bribes.
The administration is struggling to expand its influence beyond Mogadishu. Al-Shabaab, an ally of al-Qaida, controls parts of the country.
