Parliament Approves New Cabinet

(AP) TIRANA, Albania - Wed Jul 31 - Albania's parliament approved a new government Wednesday, giving this Balkan country a new Cabinet pledging to speed up integration into Europe.

Deputies debated for 10 hours before approving Socialist Party leader Fatos Nano's Cabinet. The vote was 81-48 with the remaining deputies in the 140-seat parliament abstaining or absent.

Nano told the chamber that the new government would work for the country's economic development and fight corruption and crime in hopes of ultimately joining the European Union He also pledged to take steps to avert an energy crisis this year. Last winter, most of the country faced power outages for 12 hours a day.

"We are determined to make our government's program succeed," Nano said. The Cabinet of 18 ministers includes two former prime ministers, Ilir Meta and Pandeli Majko. Meta has been appointed deputy prime minister and foreign minister while Majko will be defense minister.

The key post of interior minister went to Luan Rama, the defense minister in Majko's government. Kastriot Islami remains finance minister. Nano took over last week after Majko resigned the prime minister's post to settle months of bickering within the Socialist Party.