Italian Conte's new govt sworn in

ROME - The Italian government formed by newly-appointed Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte was officially sworn at the presidential palace on Friday.

Overall, the new cabinet comprised 18 ministers.

Conte was given the mandate by president Sergio Mattarella on Thursday evening, after anti-establishment Five star Movement (M5S) and far-right League -- the two most voted parties in March elections -- agreed to renew their consultations.

A previous attempt by the two forces to form a cabinet, also led by law professor Conte, had failed on Sunday.

M5S leader Luigi Di Maio and League leader Matteo Salvini were sworn in as Economic Development and Labour Minister and Interior Minister respectively.

They would both serve in the role of vice prime ministers as well.

Giovanni Tria -- a professor of Political Economy at Rome Tor Vergata University who is favorable to Italy's continued adherence to the euro-zone -- was sworn in as Economy and Finance Minister.

His nomination was a crucial turning point allowing the success of M5S-League's latest negotiations, since the Italian president had nixed their previous nominee -- Eurosceptic economist Paolo Savona, as finance minister.

In the new cabinet, Savona will serve as Minister for European Affairs.

Enzo Moavero Milanesi, director of the School of Law at LUISS University in Rome, was sworn in as Foreign Affairs Minister.

Other ministers were Alfonso Bonafede at Justice, Elisabetta Trenta at Defence, Marco Bussetti at Education, Danilo Toninelli at Infrastructures and Transports, Giulia Bongiorno at Public Administration, Alberto Bonisoli at Culture and Tourism, Gian Marco Centinaio at Agriculture, and Giulia Grillo at Health.

Giancarlo Giorgetti -- considered as the right-hand man of League leader Salvini -- will be given the influential role of Undersecretary for Prime Minister, Conte said on Thursday.

He would be sworn in in a separate ceremony during the first cabinet meeting.

The new government must now win confidence votes in parliament, expected to happen next week, Ansa news agency reported.

Political novice Conte, 53, can count on a solid majority, since M5S and League holds most seats in both the lower house and the senate.