New Greek Premier Lucas Papademos seeks unity over euro

NFORM New Greek Prime Minister Lucas Papademos has said the priority of his incoming coalition cabinet is to seek unity to keep Greece in the eurozone; Kazinform refers to BBC.

"The choices we make will be decisive for the Greek people," he said, adding that the euro was vital for prosperity.

Debt-laden Greece must quickly approve a EU bailout to secure vital loans.

Mr Papademos, a former European Central Bank vice-president, was named on Thursday after protracted talks. His cabinet is to be sworn in on Friday.

Mr Papademos, who is not a member of parliament, will head the interim government until elections can take place in February.

Reports say he has accepted that the current Finance Minister, Evangelos Venizelos, remains in place. The exact make-up of the new coalition government is yet to be agreed.

'Critical point'

The BBC's Mark Lowen in Athens says Greece is in unchartered territory with this national unity government - an extreme measure for extreme times.

Mr Papademos, 64, was named following days of tough negotiations between party leaders; Kazinform cites BBC.

To learn more go to www.bbc.co.uk