Mali's former Foreign Affairs Minister Moctar Ouane was named prime minister of the country's transitional government by President Bah Ndaw, state TV reported on Sunday, a move that would likely trigger the lifting of sanctions imposed by the West Africa regional bloc.

The appointment came two days after Ndaw, a retired colonel, was sworn in as president. He signed a decree authorizing Ouane's selection, which the M5-RFP coalition of opposition groups welcomed, even though he was not their first choice.

"The M5-RFP must be willing to focus on the struggle, the reforms, the transparent elections, the crisis in the north and the center... to support men capable of bringing the country out of this crisis," said Nouhoum Togo, the group's spokesman.

Ouane, a career diplomat, served in government in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs between 2004 and 2011. He also served as Mali's Permanent Representative to the United Nations and diplomatic adviser to The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

The leadership of the transitional government hopes that the appointment of the 64-year-old will result in a lifting of sanctions by ECOWAS.

ECOWAS mediator Goodluck Jonathan has said the bloc would not remove its sanctions on Mali unless a civilian prime minister was appointed. The sanctions have caused a 30-percent slump in imports to the landlocked country.

The bloc had softened initial demands that a purely civilian leadership be installed.

A military coup was launched in Mali last month and former President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita was overthrown.

International powers feared the coup could further destabilize the country and undermine a joint fight against Islamist insurgents there and in the wider Sahel region.

Coup-leader Colonel Assimi Goita is now Mali's vice president. 

The men will be tasked with overseeing an 18-month transition back to civilian rule.