In Pakistan, a close associate of the assassinated opposition leader Benazir Bhutto has been sworn in as Pakistan’s new prime minister. Yousaf Raza Gilani took the oath today from Pakistani President General Pervez Musharraf. Moments after he was sworn in, his supporters began chanting “Long Live Bhutto.” Gilani heads a coalition government that won elections in February against the US-backed Musharraf. In his first move as prime minister, Gilani ordered the release of senior judges who had been placed under house arrest by Musharraf last year. On Monday, former chief justice, Iftikhar Chaudhry,spoke to reporters.

Iftikhar Chaudhry:”On behalf of myself and all those judges who were illegally and unconstitutionally detained in their houses on November 3, I thank all of you and the entire nation.”

Iftikhar Chaudhry had been under house arrest since November. Gilani also said he would seek a formal UN investigation into the assassination of Benazir Bhutto. Two top US officials, Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte and Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher, have already arrived in Pakistan to meet with Pakistan’s new prime minister.