Somali leader 'ready to step down' | BBC

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Last Updated: Friday, 30 January, 2004, 17:10 GMT

Somali leader 'ready to step down'


The current interim president
only controls small areas of
Somalia

Somalia's interim leader has said he is ready to move aside, following a peace deal signed by rival warlords.

President Abdulkassim Salat Hassan told the BBC that the Somali people were fed up after 13 years of war and lack of development.

The rival faction leaders have agreed on how to choose a parliament, which would in turn elect a president.

Mr Salat said he would make way for whoever was chosen."I will hand over the power of the presidency," he said.

He also told the BBC's Focus on Africa programme that it would take not more than 45 days to choose a new parliament, which would "immediately" elect the president.

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