Somali lawmakers elect president’s ally as new speaker

Somalia’s parliament gets new speaker

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s parliament has elected a close ally of the president as speaker, possibly ending divisions that have recently split the legislature.

Lawmakers applauded and cheered Friday when Sharif Hassan Sheik Adan was announced the winner, beating four other candidates.

Acting speaker Haji Shugri Sheik Ahmed said Adan got 217 votes, compared to his nearest rival who got 143.

Adan has promised to reconcile lawmakers.

The previous speaker resigned last week after lawmakers heckled him and questioned his authority during parliament’s first meeting in five months.

President Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed is trying to assert his hold on government in a bid to forge a united front against Islamic insurgents who have been trying to overthrow his government.