Copenhagen  - Denmark's new prime minister made his first cabinet appointments Tuesday, designating among others a new finance and labour minister.

Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen formally took over the reins of Denmark's government this weekend after his predecessor, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, accepted a position as NATO secretary general.

Claus Hjort Frederiksen, until now the labour minister, will take over the finance portfolio. Karin Ellemann was named interior minister, while Karin Stjberg is to take over the labour portfolio.

All three are from the centre-right Liberal Party, which is part of a minority ruling coalition with the Conservative Party. (dpa)