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New Pakistan PM Gillani sworn in New Pakistan PM Gillani sworn in
(about 1 hour later)
Yusuf Raza Gillani has been sworn in as Pakistan's new prime minister in a ceremony in the capital Islamabad. Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf has sworn in Yusuf Raza Gillani as the prime minister, leading a coalition government opposed to him.
Mr Gillani is a senior member of the Pakistan People's Party that emerged the main winner of the February polls. Key leaders of the coalition kept away from the ceremony in Islamabad, in what BBC correspondent Barbara Plett is an apparent snub to President Musharraf.
Mr Gillani is a leader of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) that won the most votes in elections in February.
Two top US officials have meanwhile arrived for talks in Pakistan.
US Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte and Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher held talks with Nawaz Sharif, who heads the PPP's coalition partner, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).
Officials say they are also expected to meet President Pervez Musharraf and Mr Gillani.
The US has said it expects Pakistan's new government to continue a crackdown on Islamist militants along the country's border with Afghanistan.
Pakistani analyst and former general Talat Masood told AFP news agency the US envoys were "fearful of any softening towards the militants by the incoming government".
President Musharraf has been a key ally in the US "war on terror". Leaders in the new coalition have hinted at a negotiated solution to the Islamist uprising.
Decision on judges
Mr Musharraf administered the oath of office to Mr Gillani in a short, crisp ceremony at the presidential residence in Islamabad.
The Pakistani national anthem was sung, along with verses from the Koran.
The BBC's Barbara Plett says the ceremony caps 24-hour period that has highlighted the president's increasing isolation.
Mr Gillani's first move after being elected by parliament on Monday was to order the release of top judges detained when President Musharraf imposed emergency rule in November.
The judges were dismissed as they were about to decide on the legality of the president's re-election last year.
The PPP nominated Mr Gillani as its candidate at the weekend.
This is the first time in 12 years that the PPP will head the government, a coalition with a substantial majority.This is the first time in 12 years that the PPP will head the government, a coalition with a substantial majority.
Mr Gillani's first move on Monday was to order the release of judges detained after President Pervez Musharraf imposed emergency rule in November. Correspondents say Mr Gillani is much admired within the PPP. He has resisted pressure from President Musharraf to desert the party, refusing to do any deals with him.
The oath was administered by President Pervez Musharraf.
The ceremony, held at the president's official residence, began with the playing of Pakistan national anthem, followed by recitation of Koranic verses.
Boycotted
The PPP nominated Mr Gillani as its candidate at the weekend. MPs elected him prime minister on Monday.
The BBC's Syed Shoaib Hasan in Islamabad says that Mr Gillani is much admired within the PPP. He resisted pressure from President Musharraf to desert the party, refusing to do any deals with him.
Mr Gillani was sent to jail in 2001, serving five years following a conviction over illegal government appointments.Mr Gillani was sent to jail in 2001, serving five years following a conviction over illegal government appointments.
The sentence was passed by an anti-corruption court formed by President Musharraf.The sentence was passed by an anti-corruption court formed by President Musharraf.
His opponents say it was a means of intimidating and coercing their members to join his government.His opponents say it was a means of intimidating and coercing their members to join his government.