Malis transitional President Bah Ndaw has named a new civilian prime minister, the state television announced on Sunday. Ndaw appointed former diplomat Moctar Ouane to the position. Ouane served as Malis foreign minister between 2004 and 2011. He was Malis permanent representative to the UN from 1995 to 2002 and later became a diplomatic adviser to the West African regional bloc, Ecowas. His appointment could see the lifting of sanctions imposed by Ecowas after last months coup. The coup leader Col Assimi Goita had picked Ndaw - who was inaugurated on Friday - to be the transitional president. The appointment of a civilian president was a condition for Ecowas to lift the sanctions it imposed after the coup. Ecowas officials had on Friday said they would only lift the embargo after a civilian prime minister was also appointed. Correspondents say it still isnt clear how much power military officers will retain, especially after Col Goita was given the position of vice-president.
