Somali PM Gedi appoints seven new ministers

BAIDOA, Aug 4 (Reuters) Somali Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Gedi today announced he had appointed seven new ministers, after a wave of resignations threatened the fragile interim government.

''Some of my ministers had passed away, while I sacked others and there are some who have resigned, that is why I have appointed these ministers,'' Gedi told reporters in the government's provincial seat of Baidoa.

The resignation earlier of Reconstruction Minister Barre Shire Adan brought to 40 the number of senior officials to desert the fragile administration, many of them citing Gedi's reluctance to reach out to rival Islamists who control a large swathe of the nation.

The exodus has accelerated since Gedi narrowly survived a crucial confidence motion last week. Most lawmakers voted against him, but their numbers fell short of the two-thirds needed for a censure.

Reuters VJ GC0042