BERLIN ( 2008-03-25 18:44:05 ) :
The German government welcomed the swearing-in of new Prime Minister Yousef Raza Gilani on Tuesday and urged him to pursue democratic reforms.
"The government hopes that the new prime minister ensures the strengthening of democracy, the consolidation of economic reforms and the struggle against poverty and terrorism in all forms," foreign ministry spokesman Martin Jaeger said at a regular government news conference.
Jaeger also welcomed one of Gilani's first acts as prime minister, the release of judges jailed by President Pervez Musharraf when he imposed emergency rule late last year.
