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Greece swears in unity cabinet and PM Lucas Papademos Greece swears in unity cabinet and PM Lucas Papademos
(40 minutes later)
Greece's new coalition cabinet and Prime Minister Lucas Papademos have been formally sworn in, after a week of political turmoil.Greece's new coalition cabinet and Prime Minister Lucas Papademos have been formally sworn in, after a week of political turmoil.
The new government's most pressing task is to approve Greece's recent EU bailout package and avoid bankruptcy.The new government's most pressing task is to approve Greece's recent EU bailout package and avoid bankruptcy.
Mr Papademos, who is not an elected MP, has said his priority will be to keep Greece in the eurozone.Mr Papademos, who is not an elected MP, has said his priority will be to keep Greece in the eurozone.
He is tasked with putting the debt-laden country back on track until elections, probably in February.He is tasked with putting the debt-laden country back on track until elections, probably in February.
Outgoing Prime Minister George Papandreou was forced to step aside after a disastrous call for a referendum on the eurozone rescue package.Outgoing Prime Minister George Papandreou was forced to step aside after a disastrous call for a referendum on the eurozone rescue package.
The referendum plan was dropped within a few days, but not before sparking a financial and political crisis that threatened to engulf the eurozone.The referendum plan was dropped within a few days, but not before sparking a financial and political crisis that threatened to engulf the eurozone.
A number of key posts remain under the control of Mr Papandreou's Socialist Pasok party - Finance Minister Evangelos Venizelos has retained his post.A number of key posts remain under the control of Mr Papandreou's Socialist Pasok party - Finance Minister Evangelos Venizelos has retained his post.
Former EU environment commissioner Stavros Dimas, from the main opposition New Democracy party, is the new foreign minister. Former EU environment commissioner Stavros Dimas, from the main opposition New Democracy party, is the new foreign minister. The defence portfolio has gone to his party colleague, former Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos.
Several members of the nationalist Laos party have been appointed, including the new Infrastructure Minister Makis Voridis.Several members of the nationalist Laos party have been appointed, including the new Infrastructure Minister Makis Voridis.
'Difficult path''Difficult path'
Mr Papademos swore his oath of office in front of the head of the Greek Orthodox Church, Archbishop Ieronymos, in a ceremony watched by President Carolos Papoulias and members of the new cabinet. Mr Papademos swore his oath of office in front of Archbishop Ieronymos, head of the Church of Greece, in a ceremony watched by President Carolos Papoulias and members of the new cabinet.
Speaking later to Mr Papandreou, he said he would do his best to solve the country's problems.
"With the unity of all people, we will succeed," he said, quoted by Reuters news agency.
The BBC's Mark Lowen in Athens says Mr Papademos must introduce further austerity measures to stabilise the country.The BBC's Mark Lowen in Athens says Mr Papademos must introduce further austerity measures to stabilise the country.
However, the broad support he enjoys should allow him to push them through - the new coalition controls 254 out of 300 parliamentary seats.However, the broad support he enjoys should allow him to push them through - the new coalition controls 254 out of 300 parliamentary seats.
Mr Papademos, a former vice president of the European Central Bank (ECB), gave the names of his new ministers on Friday - the list was read out on state TV.Mr Papademos, a former vice president of the European Central Bank (ECB), gave the names of his new ministers on Friday - the list was read out on state TV.
It took days of wrangling for Lucas Papademos to be named as the new prime minister.It took days of wrangling for Lucas Papademos to be named as the new prime minister.
And he is to begin the hard work immediately after his government of national unity is formally sworn in, each minister taking an oath of office.
The first and urgent task is to begin parliamentary approval of Greece's recent bailout package, so as to receive its international loan and avoid bankruptcy. Mr Papademos will be forced to pursue cost-cutting measures, which are not likely to go down well with an austerity-weary nation.The first and urgent task is to begin parliamentary approval of Greece's recent bailout package, so as to receive its international loan and avoid bankruptcy. Mr Papademos will be forced to pursue cost-cutting measures, which are not likely to go down well with an austerity-weary nation.
But what he has is a broad base of political support here - and that may just give this former banker the necessary advantage to succeed.But what he has is a broad base of political support here - and that may just give this former banker the necessary advantage to succeed.
The technocrat was named as interim prime minister on Thursday after days of behind-the-scenes negotiations by Greece's main political parties.The technocrat was named as interim prime minister on Thursday after days of behind-the-scenes negotiations by Greece's main political parties.
After the new cabinet is appointed, a debate is due to begin in parliament that will culminate in a confidence vote on Mr Papademos on Sunday or Monday, Greek media reported.After the new cabinet is appointed, a debate is due to begin in parliament that will culminate in a confidence vote on Mr Papademos on Sunday or Monday, Greek media reported.
On Thursday Mr Papademos said the priority of his incoming coalition cabinet would be to seek unity and keep Greece in the eurozone.On Thursday Mr Papademos said the priority of his incoming coalition cabinet would be to seek unity and keep Greece in the eurozone.
"The choices we make will be decisive for the Greek people," he said."The choices we make will be decisive for the Greek people," he said.
"The participation of our country in the eurozone is a guarantee for the country's monetary stability. It is a driver of financial prosperity.""The participation of our country in the eurozone is a guarantee for the country's monetary stability. It is a driver of financial prosperity."
He added: "The path will not be easy but I am convinced the problems will be solved faster and at a smaller cost if there is unity and consensus."He added: "The path will not be easy but I am convinced the problems will be solved faster and at a smaller cost if there is unity and consensus."
Mr Papademos said his first priorities would be to ratify the 130bn euro ($177bn; £111bn) rescue package agreed at an EU summit last month, and to implement the policies linked to it.Mr Papademos said his first priorities would be to ratify the 130bn euro ($177bn; £111bn) rescue package agreed at an EU summit last month, and to implement the policies linked to it.