Mali’s interim leader names prime minister

Mali’s interim President has named former Malian Foreign Minister as prime minister.

The appointment opens the way for the country’s neighbours to lift sanctions imposed after its August military coup.

A civilian premier was the precondition for Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to lift sanctions it imposed two days after the coup removing President.

The prime minister served as Mali’s ambassador to United Nations from 1995-2002.

He was sworn in before Mali’s Supreme Court with military government Chief as his deputy.

The military government promised to return the country to civilian rule after a transition period lasting up to 18 months.