BAGHDAD, Iraq: Giving Iraqis their first freely elected government in half a century, Iraq's presidential council was sworn in Thursday and named Ibrahim Al-Jaafari to the country's most powerful position — Prime Minister.

71-year-old Jalal Talabani, who becomes the first Kurdish head of state in an Arab country, appointed Al-Jaafari as Prime Minister, ending weeks of political bickering between parties.

Talabani vowed to bring reconciliation to a country torn by decades of ethnic tension and totalitarian rule as he took the oath of office at a historic session of parliament.

Adel Abdel Mahdi and outgoing president Ghazi Al-Yawar were sworn in as Talabani's two deputies completing a three-man presidency that together nominated the premier.

New Prime Minister Jaafari heads Dawa party which is part of the United Iraqi Alliance headed by Sayyed Abdul Aziz Al-Hakim that swept the board in the January 30 election.

Jaafari vowed to swiftly put in place a new government to replace the outgoing Prime Minister Iyad Allawi.

Talking to newsmen, he said: “I hope to complete the formation of my government within two weeks, even though I have a month to do it.”