Sudan's Bashir names ally prime minister

Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir addresses a news conference in Cape Town South Africa, November 7, 2007. Picture taken November 7, 2007. REUTERS/Mike Hutchings/File Photo

KHARTOUM (Reuters) - Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir named his first vice president and long-time ally Hassan Saleh to the newly created post of prime minister on Wednesday, the clearest sign yet that he intends for him to one day take over.

It is the first time Sudan has had a prime minister since Bashir came to power in a 1989 Islamist and military-backed coup. Saleh is the last member of the group of officers that launched the coup to remain at Bashir's side.