France, Sept. 22 -- Bah Ndaw, the former Malian defence minister,was on Monday named interim president.

Colonel Assimi Goita, who led the military coup in August that overthrew President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, was appointed vice-president.

The men took up the positions following a decision of a 17-member panel chosen by the junta to oversee an 18-month transition before elections. Goita said on state television that he and Ndaw would be sworn in on Friday.

The appointment of the 70-year-old retired colonel as Keita's replacement may appease leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas)which last week threatened to step up economic sanctions and impose a total embargo on the country if its conditions were not met. ...