Nairobi/Mogaishu  - Somali President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed spoke in favour of using Islamic sharia law as the basis by which he will govern the Horn of Africa nation, local media reported Sunday.

The moderate Islamist leader who was elected president a month ago just hours during a parliamentary session held in neighbouring Djibouti said he was hoping that the introduction of shariah law would defuse the country's conflict with tribal militias.

New Y

Washington/Nairobi  - The United States Saturday congratulated moderate Islamist Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed on his election as Somalia's new president and urged him to reach out to other Somalis "who reject violence" in forming a new government.

In a statement issued by the US embassy in Nairobi and released in Washington, the United States noted that Sheikh Sharif was a strong proponent of international mediation and "has worked diligently on reconciliation efforts in Somalia."