Islamist Shi'ite Ibrahim Jaafari was named as Iraq's next prime minister today, 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 guerrilla 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," said Mr Jaafari, who spent more than two decades opposing Saddam Hussein from exile.
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 30th.
Jaafari is seen as a moderate Islamist, favouring a strong role for Muslim teachings but seeking to embrace 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 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 he finalised 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 Talabani and the Shi'ite and Sunni Arab vice presidents.
Mr Talabani (71) took the president's oath of office a day after his election by parliament. Political and religious leaders attended a ceremony inside Baghdad's fortified Green Zone, seat of government and the vast US embassy.
Afterwards he was given a round of applause and briefly raised his arms in triumph. Shi'ite Adel Abdul Mahdi and Sunni Arab tribal elder Ghazi Yawar, previously the interim president, were sworn in as vice presidents immediately afterwards.