Members of Parliament in a semi-autonomous state in Somalia chose a new president on Sunday in a federal-government backed process, days after two rival politicians claimed the post for themselves. Galmudug's parliament elected Ahmed Abdi Kariye - a former state minister better known by his nickname Qoor-Qoor - by 66 to 77 votes, and he was hailed as president by Somalia's central government and welcomed by the US embassy.

But two other parties had already proclaimed their leaders as president - arguing that central government wields too much influence over the regional parliamentary vote.

The power struggle in the central region, which lies between the capital Mogadishu and the self-governing region of Puntland, is seen as critical for wider security in the Horn of Africa nation - where political rivals often resolve disputes through violence. "Kariye... secured two-thirds of the vote, plus six, which makes him win the presidency," said the Speaker of the Parliament, Ali Gacal Asir.