ADDIS ABABA, March 29 (Xinhua) -- The following are news highlights in Ethiopia's major media outlets on Thursday.

-- The Office of the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), the ruling party, on Wednesday disclosed the election process for the new chairmanship of the Front was democratic, fair and transparent.

Members of the EPRDF Council on Tuesday voted for Abiy Ahmed (PhD) to be the new Chairperson of the Front replacing Hailemariam Desalegn. (Ethiopian News Agency/ENA)

-- Leaders of various countries have congratulated Dr Abiy Ahmed on his election as Chairperson of the ruling party, the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF). (Fana Broadcasting Corporate/FBC)

-- Former Chairperson of the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), Hailemariam Desalegn, has called on the public to support the ongoing reforms by the Front and the government. (Fana Broadcasting Corporate/FBC)

-- Most of the national parks in Ethiopia are returning to better conditions as a result of mainly the active involvement of the local people in protecting them, according to Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority (EWCA).

In an exclusive interview with ENA, EWCA Director-General Kumara Wakjira said the parks are relatively in better conditions since the authority has managed to develop a management platform enabling it to work closely with key stakeholders. (Ethiopian News Agency/ENA)

-- The Federal Urban Job Creation and Food Security Agency is to transfer more than 8,800 sheds to micro and small enterprises.

The sheds are being erected on a total of more than 2,000 hectares of land. (Fana Broadcasting Corporate/FBC) Enditem