WORLD : New Panama President Appointed
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PANAMA CITY — The Council of State today appointed Comptroller Francisco Rodriguez as president of Panama as it moved to fill the vacuum created by the cancellation of the presidential election May 7.
The new government takes over Friday, the same day the term of acting President Manuel Solis expires.
Today’s appointments assure the continuation of Gen. Manuel A. Noriega as commander of the military and as the country’s de facto leader.
Foreign Minister Jorge Ritter, who resigned Wednesday night, said Rodriguez was appointed president and Carlos Ofores was named vice president. Ritter spoke with reporters after the Council of State met in closed session.
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