Top news items in Ethiopian major media outlets

The following are news highlights in Ethiopia's major media outlets on Friday.

-- Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn has highlighted on Ethiopia's firm stance in safeguarding the interests of Africa.

Speaking at a state dinner hosted by President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi of Mozambique, Hailemariam said Ethiopia will use its non-permanent membership on the UN Security Council to protect Africa's interest. (Ethiopian News Agency/ENA)

-- Ethiopia and Mozambique signed Wednesday a comprehensive cooperation agreement in Maputo to cooperate in various sectors.

The two countries agreed to work together in civil aviation, agriculture, livestock and natural resource development, military training, science and technology, transport and communication, culture and tourism as well as other sectors. (Fana Broadcasting Corporate/FBC)

-- The eve of Fiche Chambelala, an anniversary celebrated by the Sidama people as a New Year event, is being observed in various programs in Hawassa town, capital of SNNP Regional State of Ethiopia.

President Mulatu Teshome, who is in Hawassa to attend the event, laid a corner stone for the Sidama Cultural Park to be built at Gudu Male Square in Hawassa town at a cost of 1 billion birr. (Fana Broadcasting Corporate/FBC)

-- The Ethiopian Ministry of Education (MoE) has begun the construction of 11 universities in various parts of the country.

This was revealed at a discussion Higher Education Affairs Standing Committee of the House of People's Representative (HPR) held Thursday with Higher Education Relevance and Quality Agency. (HERQA) Endit