MySQL: trying to create root user

Upgrading MySQL database to 5.5 and it seems that the root user has disappeared. I'm trying to create it again using this commands: javier@javier-mbp:~$ sudo pkill mysqld [sudo] password for javier: javier@javier-mbp:~$ sudo /usr/local/mysql/bin/mysqld_safe --skip-grant-tables& 1927 javier@javier-mbp:~$ 111028 16:37:44 mysqld_safe Logging to '/var/log/mysql/error.log'. 111028 16:37:44 mysqld_safe Starting mysqld daemon with databases from /usr/local/mysql/data Then I do: javier@javier-mbp:~$ mysql Welcome to the MySQL monitor. Commands end with ; or \g. Your MySQL connection id is 1 Server version: 5.5.17-log MySQL Community Server (GPL) Copyright (c) 2000, 2011, Oracle and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Oracle is a registered trademark of Oracle Corporation and/or its affiliates. Other names may be trademarks of their respective owners. Type 'help;' or '\h' for help. Type '\c' to clear the current input statement. mysql> GRANT CREATE, DROP ON *.* TO root@localhost IDENTIFIED BY '123456' WITH GRANT OPTION; ERROR 1290 (HY000): The MySQL server is running with the --skip-grant-tables option so it cannot execute this statement Any help? EDIT: Solved, well… I just should do a backup of the user root since I'm removing the database before upgrading to 5.5.