Peru's president swears in new prime minister

LIMA - Peru's President Manuel Merino on Wednesday appointed Antero Flores-Araoz as prime minister in his first act as president, a position he assumed on Tuesday.

Flores-Araoz's swearing-in ceremony was held at the Government Palace in downtown Lima, capital of Peru.

The appointment of the prime minister followed the inauguration of the new government headed by Merino, a legislator who took over the presidency after ex-President Martin Vizcarra was impeached on Monday for alleged corruption.

In an interview with a local radio station before being sworn in, Flores-Araoz described the new administration as a "transitional government," saying "we have to improve the conditions in which we have received it to be able to deliver a country in order."

"We are not in the best of worlds, we have a very strong economic crisis, galloping unemployment and a health crisis. It is not the best time to do experiments," he said.

Flores-Araoz was a congressman in 1995-2000, 2000-2001 and 2001-2006, and during the last period worked with Merino as a legislator.

He also served as Peru's representative to the Organization of American States from 2006 to 2007, and defense minister from 2007 to 2009.