Only hours after East Timor was declared independent, a new government has been sworn in, faced with the enormous task of rebuilding of Asia's poorest nation. President Xanana Gusmao - himself only inaugurated shortly after midnight (1500GMT) - swore in a 24-member cabinet in the capital, Dili, on Monday morning. The euphoria at officially ending 450 years of foreign rule over the territory has not yet worn off, but new Prime Minister, Mari Alkatiri, outlined some of the new government's priorities for the tough years ahead. "We emphasise the importance of the policy of national reconciliation as an essential base for national stability," he told people gathered in front of the former Portuguese governor's building which will house the new government. "Our principal obligation is to build a solid and transparent government," he said.

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