BAMAKO, Mali
Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita has accepted the sudden resignation of Premier Oumar Tatam Ly and named outgoing Urban Planning Minister Moussa Mara to form a new government.
A presidential statement read on national TV did not give a timeframe for the formation of the new cabinet.
Ly, a 50-year-old economist, tendered his resignation only seven months into the job and gave no reason for the unexpected decision.
The resigned premier was appointed following a government offensive, backed by French troops, against rebels in the north of Mali in January of last year.
Ly's government had faced many daunting challenges rebuilding a country wrecked by war, achieving national reconciliation and fighting rampant corruption.
His successor, 39-year-old Mara, had lost to President Keita in the first round of last year's presidential polls before backing Keita in the run-off.
By Alaa Aboulenein
englishnews@aa.com.tr
