Baidoa, Somalia, 10 January 2008 - Legislators in Somalia's transitional federal parliament ratified the new cabinet of Prime Minister Nur "Adde" Hassan Hussein during a Thursday vote, officials said.

Some 230 MPs were present at parliament hall in the southwestern trade town of Baidoa, 250km northwest of the capital Mogadishu.

Parliament sources said lawmakers engaged in a brief debate about the nature of the vote, with some arguing for a vote by secret ballot.

But the majority opted to raise their hands for the vote, with 223 MPs approving Prime Minister Nur Adde's council of ministers, 5 MPs rejecting and 2 MPs abstaining from the vote, sources said.

Prime Minister Nur Adde, who addressed parliament after the vote, reiterated his government's policies on national security, reconciliation and the facilitation of humanitarian aid.

The Somali premier also asked parliamentarians to correct his government if it pursues the wrong path and endorse his correct polices.

The new cabinet consists of 18 ministers, downsized dramatically from the 31 ministers that have been part of the interim government since 2004.

Prime Minster Nur Adde's cabinet also includes officials from outside parliament.

The new government has daunting tasks ahead, including the important issues of securing the country, establishing a federal system across Somalia and preparing the nation for democratic elections next year, as required by the constitution.

Source: Garowe Onine