UNITED NATIONS, July 10 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Monday congratulated Timor-Leste's Prime Minister Jose Ramos-Horta on his recent appointment.

    "The secretary-general welcomes the establishment of a new government in Timor-Leste" and "congratulates Jose Ramos-Horta on his appointment as prime minister", Annan's spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.

    The UN chief "looks forward to the formation of the full government, which he trusts will serve the needs of all Timorese", said the statement.

    Annan called on "all parties in Timor-Leste to move forward in a spirit of dialogue, unity and reconciliation, as the country prepares for its first presidential and parliamentary elections since independence."

    Ramos-Horta was named as prime minister by Timor-Leste's President Xanana Gusmao last Saturday and was sworn into office on Monday.

    He replaced Mari Alkatiri, who resigned last month after the unstable situation in the country, caused by some 600 sacked soldiers' protest against discrimination, had lasted several months since March this year. Enditem