The parliament of Somalia's Puntland state has endorsed the new flag of regional state.

In a parliamentary session held in Garowe, the administrative capital of Puntland, the lawmakers numbering 41 unanimously passed the motion that allows the creation of a flag, state identity and anthem.

38 lawmakers voted in favour of the motion, 2 remained silent while a lawmaker rejected the bill.

After the vote, Puntland state parliament speaker Abdirashid Mohammed Hirsi declared a new flag for the regional state, which declared itself as an autonomous state in 1998. The new flag is only waiting for the presidential assent.

Puntland, a collection of seven Somali regions, however maintains to remain in a federal Somalia.