Ethiopia's Meles urges speedy replacement of Somalia PM

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi on Wednesday called for the quick appointment of the Somalia premier after Omar Abdirashid Sharmarke resigned from his post earlier this month.
The Ethiopian leader met Somalia President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed here on Wednesday after Sharif recently named a caretaker prime minister to stand in before elections.
"Meles stressed the need to hold the election soon," the state-run Ethiopian News Agency (ENA) said, adding that he "pointed out that the election... would help stop the unsolicited pressure being exerted by the Shebab," referring to the extremist Islamist movement.
Sharif and Sharmarke had been at odds over a new constitution to replace the interim charter that expires in 2011. The president wanted a referendum on the issue, but the premier argued it was not possible due to lack of security.Read More