New government sworn-in following general elections

Fifty-five-year-old economist Reuben Meade today took the oath of office as Chief Minister of the British Overseas Territory for the second time, following Tuesday\'s general election in Montserrat, according to a report on www.cananews.net.



\"I am humbled by the fact that the people have the confidence in me to lead this team and to take the island forward,\" he told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) at the end of a private ceremony presided over by the territory\'s British Governor Peter Waterworth.



Meade, who had previously served in the post from 1991 to 1996, was sworn in, along with the other successful candidates for the Movement for Change and Prosperity (MCAP), which claimed six of the nine seats in the Legislative Council.



Meade, who will oversee the Finance, Economic Development, Trade and Tourism portfolio, is joined in the new cabinet by Charles Kirnon, who has responsibility for Labour, Communications and Works.



The team of four full-fledged ministers, as provided for by the island\'s constitution, is completed by two cabinet rookies, Easton Taylor-Farrell and Colin Riley.



Taylor-Farrell takes charge of the Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Housing and the Environment, while Riley is in charge of Education, Health, Community Services, Sports and Youth Affairs.



Meade has also appointed two junior ministers, former youth parliamentarian Jermaine Wade, whose primary focus will be on Sports and Youth Affairs and David Osborne, who will carry out special functions within the Office of the Chief Minister.



Three independent candidates, including former Chief Minister Dr. Lowell Lewis, are due to be sworn in as opposition members at the first sitting of parliament.