Antananarivo - After months of post-election deadlock Madagascar's president named a new prime minister Friday, tapping the relatively unknown doctor Roger Kolo for the post.
The announcement came in a statement from president Hery Rajaonarimampianina's office.
It had been suggested that Andry Rajoelina - the coup leader who ruled the country since 2009 - may have sought the post.
He earlier succumbed to international demands not to run for president, but some feared he would try to wield power from the prime minister's office.
Kolo's appointment will raise hopes that the new government can continue to repair relations with the international community.
Major donors like the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the United States and the European Union cut off the flow of aid to the Indian Ocean island after the coup.
That in turn spurred private investors to pull out, aggravating the economic woes of one of the world's poorest countries.
Madagascar held presidential and legislative elections in December to restore democracy after the coup.
Sapa-AFP