Paolo Gentiloni named new Italian Prime Minister

Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni has been chosen to be the country's next Prime Minister and pledged to get straight to work on forming a new coalition with the same Democrat Party-led majority.

"I'm aware of the urgency to give Italy a government in the fullness of its powers, to reassure the citizens and to face with utmost commitment and determination international, economic and social priorities, starting with the reconstruction of the quake-hit areas," Mr Gentiloni, 62, said.