Somali PM announces new cabinet

Newly appointed members of Somalia's cabinet stand during the ceremony held at the presidential palace in capital Mogadishu Nov 4, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

MOGADISHU - Somalia's Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdoon on Sunday announced much-anticipated 10-member cabinet.

The ministers include two women. One of them, Fowsiya Adan, was named Foreign Minister, first time in the country's history.

Speaking at the joint press conference at the State House in Mogadishu, Shirdoon said that he formed small cabinet with security as a priority.

"Considering the difficult situation our country is in, I have formed a small cabinet of full quality that can lead the country to reliable stability in this difficult time," Prime Minister Shirdon said.

The Minister of defense portfolio went to Abdelhakim Mohamoud Haji Fiqi who held this position in government of former Prime Minister Mohamed Abdulahi Farmajo between 2010 and 2011.

It was the leanest government formed for Somalia thus far since successive interim administrations the country had for the past decade.

The prime minister is expected to present his cabinet and its program to the Somali parliament in next few days when a vote of confidence will be carried out to endorse or reject the new ministerial line-up.

Somalia has been without a central government since former ruler Mohamed Siyad Barre was ousted in 1991.