WASHINGTON -  US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Thursday recognized the government of Somalia, a move unseen since 1991.

"I am delighted to announce that for the first time since 1991, the United States is recognizing the government of Somalia," the top American envoy told reporters after meeting with new Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud at the State Department.

She noted that for the first time in two decades, Somalia has a "representative government" in place with a new president, a new parliament, a new prime minister and a new constitution after al- Shabaab militants were driven out of major cities in the country due to joint regional and international efforts.

"Today is a milestone, it is not the end of the journey, but it is an important milestone towards that end," the secretary said.