BAGHDAD, Sept. 3 (UPI) -- The first Iraqi ministerial cabinet since the fall of Saddam Hussein has been sworn into power, Voice of America reported Wednesday.
A senior leader of the Iraqi Governing Council, Ibrahim Jafari, swore in the 25-member Iraqi cabinet.
In his remarks, Jafari urged the ministers to work diligently for the good of the people so security may prevail in all of Iraq and the standard of living may rise in accordance with the country's wealth.
The cabinet reflects the sectarian and ethnic make-up of the Iraqi population. It includes 13 Shiite Muslim ministers, five Sunni Muslims, five Kurds, one Turk and one Christian.
"I swear by Almighty Allah to devote my utmost, to serve and to protect Iraq, its people, land and sovereignty. And Allah is my witness," they pledged.
The head of the Coalition Provisional Authority, Paul Bremer, told reporters before the ceremony that the ministers will answer to the Iraqi Governing Council and not to the foreign advisers he has appointed.
