First Iraqi government after Saddam's collapse takes oath

Ministers of the first government formed in Iraq after the collapse of the toppled President Saddam Hussein took their constitutional oaths before members of the Interim governing council yesterday.

The taking oath ceremony was not attended by 8 ministers out of 25 for reasons said to be by Iraqi officials as "technical." The Governing council will assume the role of the prime minister.

In a speech he delivered during the taking oath ceremony, member of the council Ibrahim al-Jaafari said that the ministerial formation depended on the two elements of efficiency and political considerations.

The ministers represent all sects of Shiite, Sunni, Kurds, Turkmans and other minorities. They will be responsible before the interim council, but the higher authority will be in the hands of the American administrator of Iraq Paul Bremer.

Meanwhile, Poland was officially assigned the mission of leading the area of southern and central Iraq to be the third occupation country after the US and Britain.

Poland will impose its control on a vast area of a length exceeding 600 Km where a force of 9500 troops of 21 countries will be deployed.