The Serbian parliament approved Mr Zoran Zivkovic, a trusted ally of slain prime minister Mr Zoran Djindjic, to succeed him at the helm of the Serbian government.
Some 128 deputies voted for Mr Zivkovic, number two in Mr Djindjic's Democratic party (DS) to become the republic's prime minister, while 100 legislators were against and two abstained, parliament speaker Mr Natasa Micic said.
"I conclude that the parliament of Serbia has, with a majority of votes, elected the prime minister, his deputies and the ministers in the government of Serbia," said Mr Micic, who is also Serbia's acting president.
The vote was welcomed with applause by legislators with Serbia's ruling coalition DOS, led by the late Mr Djindjic's Democratic party (DS).
All ministers serving with Mr Djindjic's government will remain in Mr Zivkovic's cabinet. "I take an oath that I will respect the constitution and laws and that I will perform the duty of the member of the government conscientiously and with responsibility," Mr Zivkovic and the other ministers said as they were jointly sworn in parliament.
Three opposition parties -- the Socialist party of former strongman Mr Slobodan Milosevic, hardline Serbian radical party of Mr Vojislav Seselj and the Serbian Unity party (SSJ) of late warlord Zeljko Raznatovic Arkan - said earlier they would vote against Mr Zivkovic.
And the Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) of former Yugoslav president Mr Vojislav Kostunica, which left the DOS last year, also said it would reject Mr Zivkovic's nomination.
AFP