Ex-PM named vice president of Ivory Coast

ABIDJAN: Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara on Tuesday named outgoing premier Daniel Kablan Duncan as the country’s first vice-president. Making his announcement before parliament, which was meeting in special session, Ouattara described the 73-year-old as “devoted, a loyal collaborator” and “a patriot and great servant of the state.” The new post of vice-president was set up under constitutional changes voted by referendum and approved in November. Some analysts have said the new VP could be well-placed to step into Ouattara’s shoes in the future. Duncan’s nomination comes a day after he and his government resigned following legislative elections in December. A new prime minister has yet to be named. Meanwhile, former rebel leader Guillaume was re-elected parliament speaker on Monday. Also on Monday, Ouattara fired the heads of the country’s armed forces and police after a brief army mutiny that stoked security fears in the world’s top cocoa producer. — AFP