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GV New cabinet being sworn in
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GV Signing document, President of Supreme Council of Government, Vice Admiral Poveda; General Guillermo Duran, and Brigadier General Luis Leoro
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GV Other ministers signing
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GV Junta leaders shaking hands with new ministers
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GV New cabinet members seated
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Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: Ecuador's new ruling junta appointed eight cabinet ministers in quito on Wednesday (14 January), retaining only three who served under ex-President Guillermo Rodriguez Lara. The junta took power in a peaceful coup on sunday (11 January).

Three civilians were named in the new 11-man cabinet, which junta leader Vice Admiral Alfredo Poveda has said will launch a government to return the country to civilian rule within two years.

The state of siege, a mild form of martial law imposed on Sunday, was lifted on Thursday (15 January). The junta also ended press censorship which had prohibited local media from publishing views of politicians opposed to the change.

Five army officers, two from the air force and one from the navy and the three civilians were sworn into the cabinet which is dominated by moderates.

Four generals -- including two who openly opposed the junta takeover -- have left the army in recent days, and other members of the old guard which held power since 1972 did not take office.

Ecuador has large oil resources and has recently been involved in a price argument with the United States - but Admiral Poveda has said the junta will not change Ecuador's oil policies.