International mediators swore in members of Somalia's new parliament on Sunday, a move seen as a crucial step towards setting up a central authority in the only country without a national government.
More than 200 members were appointed at the United Nations headquarters in neighbouring Kenya. But several clans have yet to submit their lists of representatives, and it was unclear when the full 275-member assembly would be established.
The parliament is to elect a president to set up a new administration in Mogadishu under a 20-month-old peace process steered by African and other international mediators.
The mandate of a weak Arab-backed transitional authority expired in 2003, but the Horn of Africa country has lacked effective central control since 1991 when warlords toppled military dictator Mohammed Siad Barre and carved Somalia into clan-based fiefdoms.
The scene at the inauguration was almost as chaotic as the talks leading up to it. Delegates cheered wildly and clapped as members were sworn in on copies of the Koran, Islam's holy book. Several times delegates had to be asked to sit down.
Kenyan diplomat Bethuel Kiplagat, chief negotiator for the peace talks, congratulated the group on months of hard work.
"If we have come this far together, for heaven's sake, let's finish the race," he told the excited gathering.
Some delegates linked hands at the back of the hall, sang the Somali anthem and called for national unity. A statement by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan's spokesman was also read.