New prime minister appointed in Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia

Somalia's president appointed the nation's new prime minister on Wednesday with a mandate to form next government.

Hamza Abdi Barre got the job as premier from President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud who made the announcement in a televised speech from the State House in the capital Mogadishu, flanked by his new prime minister.

Barre's appointment comes a month after the Somali parliament elected Mohamud the president.

"H.E Hassan Sheikh Mohamud appoints Mr. Hamza Abdi Barre as the Prime Minister of the Federal Government of Somalia," said an statement issued by the presidency.

It added that Mohamud wished the Barre the "utmost success as he leads the government's ambitious reform agenda and calls on Somali people to render him their unwavering support."

Barre is also a member of Somalia's federal parliament, elected from southern state of Jubaland.

He has 30 days to form the country's next government and receive parliamentary approval.