BBC News | YOUR REACTION | Quiz the Somali president

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Friday, 15 September, 2000, 14:08 GMT 15:08 UK

Quiz the Somali president

Abdulkassim Salat Hassan is the first president Somalia has had for nearly ten years.

He was appointed two weeks ago by a parliament in exile in Djibouti. His country is in a state of anarchy, and control is exercised by different armed factions opposed to each other, and to him.

Mr Hassan's task is to find a way to impose a civilian authority on a country where all the institutions of the state have been destroyed and where the gun remains the only real measure of power.

Can he do it? President Hassan answered your questions in a live webcast from New York. A transcript of selected highlights will appear here soon.

Related to this story:
Somalia's new civilian leader (29 Aug 00 | Africa) Somalia: A new president for a new beginning? (05 Sep 00 | African) Somali women find a voice (06 Sep 00 | Africa) Aideed warns world against Somali president (02 Sep 00 | Africa) Somalia thriving despite war and neglect (25 Aug 00 | Africa)

Internet Links:

Internet links: ArabNet - Somalia | CIA World Factbook - Somalia |
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