Jaafari named as Iraqi PM, President sworn in

Islamist Shi'ite Ibrahim Jaafari was named as Iraq's next Prime Minister yesterday, moving the country a step closer to its first democratically elected government in more than 50 years.

Mr Jaafari announced his own nomination shortly after Iraq's new president, Kurdish former guerilla leader Jalal Talabani, was sworn into office in Parliament, along with two deputies.

"Today represents a big step forward for Iraq and a big responsibility for me," Mr Jaafari, who spent more than two decades opposing Saddam Hussein from exile, told reporters.

His appointment to the most powerful post under the interim Constitution had long been agreed in principle but was held up by weeks of bargaining over other jobs among the Shi'ite and Kurdish groups that dominate the Parliament elected on January 30.

Mr Jaafari is seen as a moderate Islamist, favouring a strong role for Muslim teachings but reaching out to all communities.

US officials say they are confident Iraq will not emulate Shi'ite Iran in establishing an Islamic state hostile to Washington. Mr Jaafari says he backs the US military presence in Iraq - at least until the country's own security forces are better able to tackle the mostly Sunni Arab insurgency.

He said yesterday that interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi, a secular Shi'ite appointed under US supervision 10 months ago, had resigned but would carry on as a caretaker while Mr Jaafari worked on the finishing touches to his Cabinet line-up.

"I hope within one or two weeks maximum I will name the Cabinet," a smiling Mr Jaafari said after his formal appointment by Mr Talabani and the Shi'ite and Sunni Arab vice presidents.

"I am going to do my best to finish within two weeks."

Mr Talabani, 71, took the President's oath of office a day after his election by Parliament.

Political and religious leaders looked on at a ceremony inside Baghdad's fortified Green Zone, seat of the government and the vast US embassy.

"I swear by God the great that I will work with devotion to preserve the independence and sovereignty of Iraq and to preserve its democratic and federal system," Mr Talabani said.

"I will work to preserve all freedoms and the independence of the judiciary, and respect all laws, as God is my witness."