Somalia’s President addresses thousands in US

Somalia's new president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, a political newcomer, waves at a ceremony after being elected by the Parliament over outgoing President Sheik Sharif Sheikh Ahmed who conceded defeat, in Mogadishu, Somalia Monday, Sept. 10, 2012. Somalia's Parliament elected a new president of the country's fledgling government Monday, a move that members of the international community say is a key step toward the east African nation's transition from a war-torn failed state to a nation with an effective government. (AP Photo/Farah Abdi Warsameh)

Somalia’s President is calling on Somalis living in Minnesota to help rebuild their war-torn homeland.

A day after the U.S. recognised Somalia’s government for the first time in two decades, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud spoke to about 4,000 people on Friday night in Minneapolis.

Minnesota is home to the largest Somali population in the U.S.

Mr. Mohamud said in English it was, “the beginning of a new foundation.” But most of the speech was in Somali.

Omar Jamal, first secretary of the Somali Mission to the United Nations, says the President thanked the crowd and asked that they help rebuild Somalia with an emphasis on security, the economy and judicial system.

On Thursday, Mr. Mohamud joined Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton in Washington to announce the change in diplomatic relations.