The acting head of state of the Comoro Islands, Tadjiddine Ben Said Massonde, has appointed the main opposition leader, Abbas Djoussouf, as the country's new prime minister.

Mr Massonde, who took over as acting head of state last month after the death of President Mohamed Taki, made the appointment after four days of talks between the ruling National Rally for Development and opposition groups.

It follows the visit of a mission from the Organisation of African Unity to the Comoros to try to mediate between opposing political forces in the islands.

The appointment of Mr Abbas is seen by correspondents as a gesture of political rapprochement following disputes which have seen two of the islands, Anjouan and Moheli, seceeding after accusing the central government of mismanaging the economy.