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Somalia to delay president vote Somalia to delay president vote
(20 minutes later)
Somalia's parliament is meeting to delay the election of a new president and decide on expanding the chamber.Somalia's parliament is meeting to delay the election of a new president and decide on expanding the chamber.
Lawmakers are set to extend Wednesday's deadline for choosing a new president, to allow contenders time to campaign.Lawmakers are set to extend Wednesday's deadline for choosing a new president, to allow contenders time to campaign.
Moderate Islamist opposition leader Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed announced his candidacy over the weekend.Moderate Islamist opposition leader Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed announced his candidacy over the weekend.
The Alliance for the Re-Liberation of Somalia (ARS) leader and Prime Minister Nur Hassan Hussein are seen as the two main presidential contenders.The Alliance for the Re-Liberation of Somalia (ARS) leader and Prime Minister Nur Hassan Hussein are seen as the two main presidential contenders.
Some 16 candidates in total have declared an interest in succeeding President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed. At least 16 candidates in total have declared an interest in succeeding President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed.
He stood down last month after falling out with the prime minister over a UN-backed peace deal.He stood down last month after falling out with the prime minister over a UN-backed peace deal.
Lawmakers on Monday are expected to vote on a motion to delay the presidential vote and double the number of parliamentary seats from 275.Lawmakers on Monday are expected to vote on a motion to delay the presidential vote and double the number of parliamentary seats from 275.
Following negotiations organised by the UN in Djibouti, members of the Transitional Federal Government agreed to include 200 new lawmakers from the ARS and 75 from civil society groups.Following negotiations organised by the UN in Djibouti, members of the Transitional Federal Government agreed to include 200 new lawmakers from the ARS and 75 from civil society groups.
The UN special representative for Somalia, Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, urged the parliament to respect its deadline of Wednesday for choosing a new president, who in turn will appoint a new prime minister.The UN special representative for Somalia, Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, urged the parliament to respect its deadline of Wednesday for choosing a new president, who in turn will appoint a new prime minister.
Under the constitutional charter, a new Somali president should be chosen by parliament within 30 days of the resignation of the last one, who quit on 29 December.Under the constitutional charter, a new Somali president should be chosen by parliament within 30 days of the resignation of the last one, who quit on 29 December.
But the BBC's Mohammed Olad Hassan in Mogadishu says the parliament is unlikely to decide who should be the new president by then.But the BBC's Mohammed Olad Hassan in Mogadishu says the parliament is unlikely to decide who should be the new president by then.
Lawmakers meeting in Djibouti under a UN-hosted reconciliation process are expected to look for an extension of at least a week.Lawmakers meeting in Djibouti under a UN-hosted reconciliation process are expected to look for an extension of at least a week.
Our correspondent says the prime minister and ARS leader must be seen as the two main contenders for the post in terms of popularity.Our correspondent says the prime minister and ARS leader must be seen as the two main contenders for the post in terms of popularity.
He adds that if Mr Sharif wins the presidency, then Mr Nur would not be able to remain as prime minister because they are from the same Hawiye clan and therefore cannot hold the top two government posts under Somali power-sharing rules. He adds that if Mr Sharif wins the presidency, then Mr Hussein would not be able to remain as prime minister because they are from the same Hawiye clan and therefore cannot hold the top two government posts under Somali power-sharing rules.
The more hardline Islamist wing of the ARS, based in Eritrea, and the radical al-Shabab fighters inside Somalia, have both refused to take part in peace talks.The more hardline Islamist wing of the ARS, based in Eritrea, and the radical al-Shabab fighters inside Somalia, have both refused to take part in peace talks.
Somalia has not had an effective national government since 1991, since when various militias have been battling for control.Somalia has not had an effective national government since 1991, since when various militias have been battling for control.