members of parliament chose mohamud in a runoff vote in outgoing president sheikh ahmed. mohamud is a university professor and political newcomer. he launched his own party last year. he was not initially considered a strong candidate. mohamud will be challenged to end fighting with militants who control much of central and southern somalia. and he'll have to deal with separatist aspirations in the northern region of somaliland. >>> the new u.n. arab league envoy to syria says his top priority is stopping the blood shed. lakhdar brahimi is expected to visit damascus in a few days to meet with president bashar al assad. brahimi met egyptian president mohamed morsi and arab lgue secretary general in cairo. brahimi says 5,000 people died in august alone. >> translator: the dangerous situation in syria will lead the whole region to collapse into turmoil. >> brahimi says he's ready to present a new peace plan to the government and opposition forces. he says the objective is to create a cease-fire and to bring stability, but he says he needs cooperation from four regional power