South Sudan president Salva Kiir has announced new a caretaker Cabinet, made up of ministers from the old semi-autonomous administration, to oversee the new country until a permanent government is appointed.

Kiir also reappointed Riek Machar as vice president and head of the caretaker Cabinet. After taking the oath of office, Machar told Ahram Online that he appreciates the Egyptian government's cooperation with the South Sudanese government during the last few years.

“South Sudan is grateful to the Egyptian people and the government for their assistance and we will not forget that Egypt was the second country to recognise the new Republic of South Sudan,” Mashar said.

Machar added that his interim government faces great challenges to provide all the necessary services for its citizens. He also mentioned that investment development will be at the top of the government's agenda in the coming few months.

The caretaker ministers would not be allowed to make significant contractual decisions without the approval of President Kiir, Information Minister Barnaba Marial told reporters in a press conference in Juba on Sunday.

"These ministers will not take major decisions and if those major decisions are of any urgency, then they can consult the president to facilitate the process," he said.

There were some changes of title to reflect the South's new national status. Deng Alor, the former minister of regional cooperation, became foreign minister and Nhial Deng Nhial, the former minister of SPLA (southern army) affairs, heads the defence ministry.

Pagan Amum stayed as minister of peace -- a role focused on continuing negotiations with the North on disputes such as the position of their border, ownership of the disputed Abyei region and the handling of oil revenues after the split.