国际英语新闻:Uzbekistan's parliament approves incumbent prime minister to lead gov't

TASHKENT, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- The legislative chamber and the senate of Uzbekistan's newly-formed parliament have approved Abdulla Aripov as the prime minister of the Central Asian nation in its joint session on Tuesday.

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has nominated Aripov as a candidate to lead the government for a new five-year term noting that he has known him for more than 20 years.

Aripov, who had served as a deputy prime minister between 2002 and 2012, became prime minister when President Mirziyoyev assumed office following presidential elections in 2016.

Aripov has presented his government's development program till 2030, which will be submitted to the president for approval.

Early this week, the Uzbek parliament's newly-formed two chambers held their first sessions and elected their speakers.