Mario Monti has been appointed Italy's new prime minister - before pledging to do his best to pull the country out of financial crisis.
The respected economist accepted President Giorgio Napolitano's offer to form a new government after he won crucial backing from Silvio Berlusconi's conservative party.
Soon after the decision, Mr Monti said: "Our country needs to redeem itself with strength. We need to give our children a concrete future."
He must now select members of his cabinet, which he is expected to announce as early as Monday, before laying out his priorities and establishing whether he has enough support in parliament to govern effectively.
The respected economist accepted President Giorgio Napolitano's offer to form a new government after he won crucial backing from Silvio Berlusconi's conservative party.
Soon after the decision, Mr Monti said: "Our country needs to redeem itself with strength. We need to give our children a concrete future."
He must now select members of his cabinet, which he is expected to announce as early as Monday, before laying out his priorities and establishing whether he has enough support in parliament to govern effectively.
