LOME, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- Togolese President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbe on Sunday appointed UN Assistant Secretary General Gilbert Fosson Houngbo as the country's new prime minister, to replace Komlan Mally who resigned two days earlier.

    Houngbo was appointed as director of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for Africa in 2005 by then UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

    The senior diplomat official is famed for being a prominent administrator and manager, as well as for his knowledge of Togolese and local affairs.

    Local observers said Houngbo's appointment came at a time when Togo is reestablishing links with the international political and financial communities.

    The new prime minister is expected to strive to carry out the president's plans for national reconciliation and rebuilding in the country. The new government will be formed in the next few days.

    Togo has been plagued by political turmoil and economic crises since the 1990s. In 2006, a formal agreement aimed at ending political and economic turbulence in the country was signed in Lome. Houngbo's predecessor Komlan Mally was appointed prime minister in December 2007.

    Mally resigned after just nine months in office, to the surprise of many.