Paolo Gentiloni appointed Italian Prime Minister
Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni has been asked to form a government by the country's president.
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President Sergio Mattarella has been looking for a replacement for centre-left PM Matteo Renzi, who resigned after losing a referendum on constitutional reform last week.
Mr Gentiloni, 62, is a loyalist from Mr Renzi's Democratic Party.
Correspondents say that if he is successful in rallying support a government could be formed in days.
In a brief acceptance speech, Mr Gentiloni said he realised the urgency of forming the government to reassure the country.
He said he would work within the framework of the previous administration, making it likely that he will reappoint several ministers.
Paolo Gentiloni
- Born to an aristocratic family, has the title Nobile
- Worked as a journalist on an environmental magazine
- Organised Francesco Rutelli's successful 1993 campaign for Rome mayor
- Elected to parliament in 2001
- Communications minister from 2006-08
- Appointed foreign minister in 2014
- Dealt with difficult issues such as killing of Giulio Regeni in Egypt
But he faces a banking crisis and a rise in popular support for anti-establishment and eurosceptic parties.
Opposition parties have ruled out joining a national unity government.
Italians voted last Sunday by a margin of 59% to 41% against Mr Renzi's plans for constitutional reform, prompting his decision to stand down.
Two of the big winners in the referendum, the anti-EU Northern League and anti-establishment Five Star Movement, are pushing for early elections, but others who are trailing in the polls are opposed.