Mogadishu, 29 Jan-(ANA)-Somalia's parliament has sworn in new opposition members as it prepares to elect a new president.
The new members belong to the Alliance for the Re-Liberation of Somalia (ARS), a major opposition group.
Parliament, meeting in neighbouring Djibouti, also extended the mandate of the transitional federal government for another two years.
But the powerful Islamist al-Shabab militia says it will not recognise the new administration.
One-hundred-and-forty-nine ARS members were sworn in, including the group's leader Sheikh Sharif Ahmed who is standing for president.
He was first to take the oath. With his hand on the Koran, he swore to protect Somalia's constitution.
The expanded administration is part of a United Nations-backed reconciliation process aimed at restoring stability to Somalia after nearly two decades of conflict.
UN special envoy Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah said: "We are going to tell the Somalis to assume their responsibilities. I expect Somalia to form its government and return to the capital Mogadishu." (ANA)
UK/Eid Party