WELLINGTON, May 18 (Xinhua) -- Tonga's Prime Minister Feleti Sevele has announced Thursday the appointment of three new ministers and a reshuffle in Ministerial portfolios.

    According to Radio New Zealand International, the new appointments include Tonga's first ever female Minister.

    She is Malia Viviena Numia Afeaki Taumoepeau, the new Attorney General and Minister for Justice.

    Joining her in cabinet are Paul Karalus, who becomes the new Minister for Civil Aviation, Marine and Ports, and Fineasi Funaki who will be the new Tourism minister.

    Ministers whose portfolios have been re-shuffled include: Hon. Tuita, former Minister of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries who becomes Minister of Lands Survey, natural Resources and Environment.

    The Prime Minister Sevele said the changes are part of the ongoing Public Sector Reform program which started in 2002.

    Tonga has been carrying out political reforms and Sevele is the first Prime Minister out of the royal family.

    Lcoal Pacific News Service said the latest reshuffle is another step of the reform toward maintaining social and economic development of the South Pacific monarchy nation.     Enditem