Ethiopia Delays Installation of New Prime Minister
Deputy Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, middle, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, during an official function (file photo)
Ethiopia has delayed plans to swear in Hailemariam Desalegn as the new prime minister, following Monday's death of Meles Zenawi.
Parliament had been expected to hold an emergency session Thursday to install Desalegn. He had served as Meles' deputy since 2010.
However, the government communications office issued a statement late Wednesday saying the session had been canceled. There was no immediate word on what prompted the delay or when an installation will take place.
Crowds of mourners gathered outside of the presidential palace in Addis Ababa Wednesday to pay their respects to Meles. The 57-year-old leader died from an infection while being treated abroad.
On Tuesday, Communications Minister Bereket Simon rejected concerns about a power vacuum resulting from Meles' death. He told VOA the country's leadership is united and the government is as "strong as ever."
Meles ruled and tightly controlled Ethiopia for more than 20 years.
Ethiopian Leader Meles Dies at 57
1/19The casket containing the body of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi arrives at the Addis Ababa International Airport, Ethiopia, August 22, 2012.
Ethiopia is mourning the death of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi at the age of 57. Meles died late August 22 of an unspecified infection while seeking treatment outside the country.
2/19The body of Ethiopia's Prime Minister Meles Zenawi is escorted upon arrival in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa early August 22, 2012.
Ethiopia is mourning the death of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi at the age of 57. Meles died late August 22 of an unspecified infection while seeking treatment outside the country.
3/19Ethiopian women in black gather to mourn as the body of the late Prime Minister Meles Zenawi arrived in Addis Ababa, August 22, 2012.
Ethiopia is mourning the death of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi at the age of 57. Meles died late August 22 of an unspecified infection while seeking treatment outside the country.
4/19Ethiopians carry posters in Amharic reading "Meles We Love You" as they gather to mourn as the body of the late Prime Minister Meles Zenawi arrived in Addis Ababa, August 22, 2012.
Ethiopia is mourning the death of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi at the age of 57. Meles died late August 22 of an unspecified infection while seeking treatment outside the country.
5/19Ethiopian national flags fly at half mast in Addis Ababa, August 21, 2012.
Ethiopia is mourning the death of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi at the age of 57. Meles died late August 22 of an unspecified infection while seeking treatment outside the country.
6/19Officials move a portrait of Meles shortly after the announcement of his death in Addis Ababa, August 21, 2012.
Ethiopia is mourning the death of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi at the age of 57. Meles died late August 22 of an unspecified infection while seeking treatment outside the country.
7/19Ethiopian government spokesman Bereket Simon (R) makes the official announcement of Meles' death in Addis Ababa, August 21, 2012.
Ethiopia is mourning the death of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi at the age of 57. Meles died late August 22 of an unspecified infection while seeking treatment outside the country.
8/19U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton meets with Meles at the London Conference on Somalia, February 23, 2012.
Ethiopia is mourning the death of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi at the age of 57. Meles died late August 22 of an unspecified infection while seeking treatment outside the country.
9/19The late Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi arrives with his wife Azeb Mesfi for the 18th African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, January 29, 2012.
Ethiopia is mourning the death of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi at the age of 57. Meles died late August 22 of an unspecified infection while seeking treatment outside the country.
10/19Meles speaks to reporters after meeting with Egyptian Prime Minister Essam Sharaf in Cairo, Egypt, September 17, 2011.
Ethiopia is mourning the death of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi at the age of 57. Meles died late August 22 of an unspecified infection while seeking treatment outside the country.
11/19Meles and other world leaders pose during a group photo at the G20 summit in Toronto, Canada, June 27, 2010.
Ethiopia is mourning the death of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi at the age of 57. Meles died late August 22 of an unspecified infection while seeking treatment outside the country.
12/19Meles lifts his cap to salute supporters of the EPRDF party at the Meskel Square in Addis Ababa, May 25, 2010.
Ethiopia is mourning the death of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi at the age of 57. Meles died late August 22 of an unspecified infection while seeking treatment outside the country.
13/19A poster featuring the prime minister displayed in downtown Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, May 2010.
Ethiopia is mourning the death of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi at the age of 57. Meles died late August 22 of an unspecified infection while seeking treatment outside the country.
14/19U.S. President George W. Bush chats with Meles during a meeting with Kenyan President Daniel Arap Moi for talks on combatting international terrorism, the White House, Washington, December 5, 2002.
Ethiopia is mourning the death of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi at the age of 57. Meles died late August 22 of an unspecified infection while seeking treatment outside the country.
15/19German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder welcomes Meles to Berlin, Germany, February 5, 2002.
Ethiopia is mourning the death of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi at the age of 57. Meles died late August 22 of an unspecified infection while seeking treatment outside the country.
16/19Meles and Russian President Vladimir Putin meet in Moscow, Russia, December 3, 2001.
Ethiopia is mourning the death of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi at the age of 57. Meles died late August 22 of an unspecified infection while seeking treatment outside the country.
17/19UN Secretary General Kofi Annan with Meles before their meeting in the office of the prime minister in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, April 30, 1998.
Ethiopia is mourning the death of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi at the age of 57. Meles died late August 22 of an unspecified infection while seeking treatment outside the country.
18/19Salim Ahmed Salim, Secretary General of the Organization of African Unity, meets with Meles in Addis Ababa, June 28, 1995.
Ethiopia is mourning the death of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi at the age of 57. Meles died late August 22 of an unspecified infection while seeking treatment outside the country.
19/19Meles accompanies Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat as he arrives at Addis Ababa's African Hall to attend a meeting, June 26, 1995.
Ethiopia is mourning the death of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi at the age of 57. Meles died late August 22 of an unspecified infection while seeking treatment outside the country.
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