LUANDA, Nov. 3 (Xinhuanet) -- Guinea-Bissau's President Nino Vieira has appointed Aristides Gomes as new prime minister to replace Carlos Gomes Jnior of former governing African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC), who was dismissed last week.

    According to reports reaching here on Thursday, Aristides Gomes was nominated by the president as Bissau's new government chief in an effort to defuse a crisis created by months of feuding between Gomes Jr. and Vieira.

    Gomes said after being sworn in that he would form a government of national consensus reflecting all political forces, according to the reports.

    Gomes, a former PAIGC vice president before being suspended in May for actively backing Vieira's presidency bid against the ruling party's runner, was the architect of Vieira's successful reelection campaign in July and was seen by most observers as a firm ally of Vieira.

    He had been parliamentary leader of the PAIGC and a staunch supporter of Gomes Jr. and his cabinet until former military ruler Vieira's return to Guinea earlier this year from a six-year exile in Portugal.

    Reacting to the appointment of his successor, Gomes Jr. told Lusa the nomination was "unconstitutional" and that the PAIGC will"fight through all legal channels" to "overturn the decree." Enditem