Sudanese President Bashir and rebel leader John Garang were sworn in in Khartoum yesterday to mark the beginning of the transitional government after the peace agreement was sealed between both sides.

According to the transitional constitution, Bashir will be president and Garang his first deputy. Ali Othman Taha is a vice-president.

United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan, who attended the ceremony, described the event as "historic," calling on all Sudanese people to safeguard the peace agreement.

Annan said the first task awaiting the new Sudanese government was the resolution of the conflicts in Darfur and eastern Sudan.

According to the peace agreement, a new Sudanese government should be formed within a month with 52 percents of its posts and the parliamentary representation designated for Bashir's party and 28 percent for the SPLM.