Somali-American picked as prime minister

MOGADISHU, Somalia, Nov. 1 (UPI) -- A Somali-American was elected prime minister of Somalia, officials said.

Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, a former official at the Somali Embassy in Washington, will take over the Western-backed transitional government, The New York Times reported.

Mohamed won a vote of confidence from Somalia's Parliament Sunday, which named him prime minister by a vote of 297 to 92.

The transitional government controls just a few blocks of the capital, and is fighting for survival amid a large number of Islamic insurgents.

"We will move with full speed to do the people's business," Mohamed said Sunday. "I will very soon form an effective and dedicated cabinet that will put the Somali people first."

Mohamed was nominated for the post by President Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed, who called the action a vote "for change and renewal," the Times reported.

"This is a great day for Somalia," Ahmed said, calling on Somalis and the international community "to cooperate and collaborate with the new prime minister and his team."

Mohamed received a master's degree in political science from State University of New York at Buffalo, and taught leadership skills and conflict resolution at the Erie Community College.