Issue Date: September 25, 2008

World Leaders:
World Heads of State and Government Leaders, Part One: Afghanistan-Cuba

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The following were the heads of state, government leaders and selected cabinet members for the countries listed, as of September 2, unless otherwise noted. For changes after September 25, search the World News Digest. Spellings are based on various schemes of transliteration and may occasionally vary from earlier or subsequent versions contained in news accounts. Adapted from information provided by the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency and other sources. [See 2008 World Leaders: World Heads of State and Government Leaders, Part One: Afghanistan-Cuba]

Afghanistan--President: Karzai, Hamid; Vice Presidents: Masood, Ahmad Zia; Khalili, Abdul Karim; Min. of Defense: Wardak, Abdul Rahim; Min. of Foreign Affairs: Spanta, Rangeen Dadfar; Min. of Interior: Zarar, Ahmad Moqbel

Albania, Republic of--President: Topi, Bamir; Prime Minister: Berisha, Sali; Min. of Defense: Oketa, Gazmend; Min. of Finance: Bode, Ridvan; Min. of Foreign Affairs: Basha, Lulzim

Algeria, Democratic and Popular Republic of--President, Min. of National Defense: Bouteflika, Abdelaziz; Prime Minister: Ouyahia, Ahmed; Min. of Finance: Djoudi, Karim; Min. of Industry: Temmar, Abdelhamid; Min. of State for Foreign Affairs: Medelci, Mourad; Min. of State for Interior & Local Governments: Zerhouni, Nourredine Yazid; Min. of State for Justice: Belaiz, Tayeb

Andorra, Principality of*--Prime Minister: Pintat, Albert; Min. of Finance: Mirapeix, Ferran; Min. of Foreign Affairs: Mateu, Meritxell

*Andorra was under the formal sovereignty of the president of France and the Roman Catholic bishop of Seo de Urgel, Spain.

Angola, Republic of--President: dos Santos, Jose Eduardo; Prime Minister: dos Santos, Fernando da Piedade Dias; Min. of Defense: Paihama, Kundi; Min. of External Relations: de Miranda, Joao Bernardo; Min. of Finance: de Morais, Jose Pedro; Min. of Petroleum: da Costa, Desiderio

Antigua and Barbuda--Governor General: Carlisle, James B.; Prime Minister, Min. of Barbuda Affairs, Min. of Defense, Min. of Foreign Affairs & International Trade, Min. of Information & Broadcasting, Min. of National Security: Spencer, Baldwin; Min. of Finance & the Economy: Cort, Eroll; Min. of Tourism, Culture & Civil Aviation: Lovell, Harold

Argentina (Argentine Republic)--President: Fernandez de Kirchner, Cristina; Min. of Defense: Garre, Nilda; Min. of Economy & Production: Fernandez, Carlos; Min. of Foreign Relations, International Trade & Worship: Taiana, Jorge; Min. of Interior: Randazzo, Florencio; Min. of Justice, Security & Human Rights: Fernandez, Anibal; Min. of Labor, Employment & Social Security: Tomada, Carlos; President, Central Bank: Redrado, Martin

Armenia, Republic of--President: Sargsyan, Serge; Prime Minister: Sargsyan, Tigran; Min. of Defense: Ohanian, Seyran; Min. of Finance: Davtian, Tigran; Min. of Foreign Affairs: Nalbandian, Eduard

Australia, Commonwealth of*--Governor General: Bryce, Quentin; Prime Minister: Rudd, Kevin; Deputy Prime Minister, Min. for Education, Employment & Workplace Relations, Social Inclusion: Gillard, Julia; Treasurer: Swan, Wayne; Attorney General: McClelland, Robert; Min. for Defense: Fitzgibbon, Joel; Min. for Foreign Affairs: Smith, Stephen; Min. for Immigration & Citizenship: Evans, Chris; Min. for Trade: Crean, Simon

*Bryce was sworn in September 5. [See 2008 Australia: New Governor General Sworn In]

Austria, Republic of--President: Fischer, Heinz; Chancellor: Gusenbauer, Alfred; Vice Chancellor, Min. of Finance: Molterer, Wilhelm; Min. of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment & Water Management: Proell, Josef; Min. of Defense: Darabos, Norbert; Min. of Foreign Affairs: Plassnik, Ursula; Min. of Justice: Berger, Maria; President, Austrian National Bank: Schimetschek, Herbert

Azerbaijan (Azerbaijani Republic)--President: Aliyev, Ilham; Prime Minister: Rasizade, Artur; Min. of Defense: Abiyev, Colonel General Safar; Min. of Finance: Sharifov, Samir; Min. of Foreign Affairs: Mammadyarov, Elmar; Min. of Internal Affairs: Usubov, Ramil

Bahamas, Commonwealth of the--Governor General: Hanna, Arthur Dion; Prime Minister, Min. of Finance: Ingraham, Hubert; Min. of Foreign Affairs: Symonette, Theodore (Brent); Min. of Health & Social Development: Minnis, Hubert; Min. of Tourism & Aviation: Vanderpool-Wallace, Vincent

Bahrain, Kingdom of--King: Khalifa, Hamad bin Isa al-; Prime Minister: Khalifa, Khalifa bin Salman al-; Min. of Defense: Khalifa, Major General Khalifa bin Ahmad al-; Min. of Finance & Economy: Khalifa, Ahmad bin Muhammad bin Hamad bin Abdallah al-; Min. of Foreign Affairs: Khalifa, Khalid bin Ahmad al-

Bangladesh, People's Republic of*--President, Min. of Defense: Ahmed, Iajuddin; Chief Caretaker Adviser: Ahmed, Fakhruddin; Army Chief: Lieutenant General Moeen U Ahmed

*Bangladesh was run by a caretaker government. Elections were scheduled for December 18. [See 2008 Bangladesh: Ahmed Sets December Elections]

Barbados--Governor General: Husbands, Sir Clifford; Prime Minister, Min. of the Civil Service, Min. of Economic Affairs & Development, Min. of Finance, Min. of Labor & Civil Service: Thompson, David; Min. of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade & International Business: Sinckler, Cristopher; Min. of Home Affairs, Attorney General: Stuart, Freundel; Min. of Tourism: Sealy, Richard

Belarus, Republic of--President: Lukashenko, Aleksandr; Prime Minister: Sidorsky, Sergei; Min. of Defense: Maltsev, Leonid; Min. of Finance: Korbut, Nikolay; Min. of Foreign Affairs: Martynov, Sergei

Belgium, Kingdom of--King: Albert II; Premier: Leterme, Yves; Vice Premier, Min. of Justice: Vandeurzen, Jo; Vice Premier, Min. of Finance: Reynders, Didier; Vice Premier, Min. of the Interior: Dewael, Patrick; Vice Premier, Min. of Social Affairs & Public Health: Onkelinx, Laurette; Vice Premier, Min. of Employment: Milquet, Joelle; Min. of Foreign Affairs: De Gucht, Karel; Min. of Defense: De Crem, Pieter

Belize--Governor General: Young, Sir Colville; Prime Minister, Min. of Finance: Barrow, Dean; Deputy Prime Minister, Min. of Agriculture & Fisheries, Min. of Natural Resources & the Environment: Vega, Gaspar; Min. of Foreign Affairs, Min. Foreign Trade: Elrington, Wilfred

Benin, Republic of--President: Yayi Boni, Thomas; Min. of Foreign Affairs: Okanla, Moussa; Min. of State in Charge of National Defense: N'Douro, Issifou Kgui; Min. of State in Charge of the Economy, Economic Forecasting, Development & Evaluations of Public Action: Koupaki, Pascal Irene

Bhutan, Kingdom of--King: Wangchuck, Jigme Khesar Namgyel; Prime Minister: Thinley, Jigme; Min. of Education: Powdyel, Thakyr Singh; Min. of Information & Communication: Rai, Nandalal

Bolivia, Republic of--President: Morales Aima, Juan Evo; Vice President: Garcia Linera, Alvaro; Min. of Defense: San Miguel Rodriguez, Walker; Min. of Finance: Arce Catacora, Luis Alberto; Min. of Foreign Relations & Worship: Choquehuanca Cespedes, David; Min. of Government: Rada Velez, Alfredo; Min. of Hydrocarbons: Villegas Quiroga, Carlos; Min. of the Presidency: Quintana Taborga, Juan Ramon; Min. Without Portfolio for Water: Orellana, Rene Gonzalo

Bosnia and Herzegovina, Republic of--Chairman, Collective Presidency: Silajdzic, Haris (Bosniak); Members, Collective Presidency: Radmanovic, Nebojsa (Serb); Komsic, Zeljko (Croat); Chairman, Council of Ministers: Spiric, Nikola; Min. of Foreign Affairs: Alkalaj, Sven; President, Muslim-Croat federation: Krsto, Borjana; President, Bosnian Serb Republic (Republika Srpska): Kusmanovic, Rajko

Botswana, Republic of--President: Khama, Seretse Khama Ian; Min. of Finance & Development Planning: Gaolathe, Jacob; Min. of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation: Skelemani, Phandu Tombola Chaka; Min. of Health: Motsumi, Lesego; Min. of Trade & Industry: Moroka, Daniel Neo

Brazil, Federative Republic of--President: Da Silva, Luiz Inacio Lula; Vice President: Alencar, Jose; Min. of Defense: Jobim, Nelson Azevedo; Min. of Development, Industry & Trade: Jorge, Miguel; Min. of Finance: Mantega, Guido; Min. of Foreign Relations: Amorim, Celso; Min. of Justice: Genro, Tarso; Min. of Sports: Silva, Orlando; President, Central Bank: Meirelles, Henrique de Campos

Brunei (Negara Brunei Darussalam)--Sultan, Prime Minister, Min. of Defense, Min. of Finance: Hassanal Bolkiah, Sir; Min. of Foreign Affairs, Min. of Trade: Mohamed Bolkiahm

Bulgaria, Republic of--President: Parvanov, Georgi; Prime Minister: Stanishev, Sergei; Min. of Defense: Tsonev, Nikolay; Min. of Finance: Oresharski, Plamen; Min. of Foreign Affairs: Kalfin, Ivaylo; Min. of Interior: Mikov, Mihail; Min. of Labor & Social Policy: Maslarova, Emilia

Burkina Faso--President: Compaore, Blaise; Prime Minister: Zongo, Tertius; Min. of Defense: Boly, Yero; Min. of Economy & Finance: Compaore, Jean Baptiste Marie Pascal

Burma, Union of--See Myanmar, Union of

Burundi, Republic of--President: Nkurunziza, Pierre; First Vice President: Sahinguvu, Dr. Yves; Min. of External Relations & Cooperation: Batumubwira, Antionette; Min. of Finance, Economy, Cooperation & Development: Nizigama, Clotilde; Min. of National Defense & War Veterans: Niyoyankana, Lieutenant General Germain

Cambodia, Kingdom of--King: Norodom Sihamoni; Prime Minister: Hun Sen; President of the National Assembly: Heng Samrin; Min. of Economy & Finance: Keat Chhon; Min. of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation: Hor Namhong; Min. of Justice: Ang Vong Vattana; Min. of National Defense: General Tea Banh

Cameroon, Republic of--President: Biya, Paul; Prime Minister: Inoni, Ephraim; Min. of Economy, Planning & Regional Development: Motaze, Louis Paul; Min. of External Relations: Ayissi, Henry Eyebe; Min. of Finance: Menye, Lazare Essimi

Canada--Governor General: Jean, Michaelle; Prime Minister: Harper, Stephen; Min. of Agriculture & Agri-Food, Min. for the Canadian Wheat Board: Ritz, Gerry; Min. of Citizenship & Immigration: Finley, Diane; Min. for Democratic Reform, House Leader: Van Loan, Peter; Min. of the Environment: Baird, John; Min. of Finance: Flaherty, Jim; Min. of Foreign Affairs: Emerson, David; Min. of Health: Clement, Tony; Min. of Indian Affairs & Northern Development: Strahl, Chuck; Min. of Industry: Prentice, Jim; Min. of Intergovernmental Affairs, Min. of Western Economic Diversification, Privy Council President: Ambrose, Rona; Min. of International Cooperation: Oda, Bev; Min. of International Trade: Fortier, Michael; Min. of Justice, Attorney General: Nicholson, Rob; Min. of National Defense: Mackay, Peter; Min. of National Revenue: O'Connor, Gordon; Min. of Natural Resources: Lunn, Gary; Min. of Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness: Day, Stockwell; Min. of Public Works & Government Services: Paradis, Christian; Min. of Transport, Infrastructure & Communities: Cannon, Lawrence; President of the Treasury Board: Toews, Vic; Governor, Bank of Canada: Carney, Mark

Cape Verde, Republic of--President: Pires, Pedro; Prime Minister: Neves, Jose Maria Pereira; Min. of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation & Communities: Brito, Jose; Min. of Justice & Local Administration: Morias, Marisa Helena

Central African Republic--President, Min of Defense: Bozize, Francois; Prime Minister: Touadera, Faustin Archange; Min. of Finance & Budget: Ndoutingai, Sylvain; Min. of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration & Francophonie Affairs: Zoumara, Come

Chad, Republic of--President: Deby, Idriss; Prime Minister: Abbas, Youssouf Saleh; Min. of Economy, Planning & Cooperation: Breme, Ousman Matar; Min. of Finance: Ngoulou, Gata; Min. of Foreign Affairs: Faki, Moussa Mahamat

Chile, Republic of--President: Bachelet Jeria, Michelle; Min. of Defense: Goni, Jose; Min. of Economy, Development & Reconstruction: Lavados Montes, Hugo; Min. of Finance: Velasco Branes, Andres; Min. of Foreign Relations: Foxley Rioseco, Alejandro; Min. of Interior: Perez Yoma, Edmundo; Min. of Justice: Maldonado, Carlos; Min. of Mining: Gonzales Larrain, Santiago; President, Central Bank: De Gregorio, Jose

China, People's Republic of--President, Chairman, Central Military Commission: Hu Jintao; Vice President: Xi Jinping; Prime Minister: Wen Jiabao; Executive Vice Prime Minister: Li Keqiang; Vice Prime Ministers: Hui Liangyu, Zhang Dejiang, Wang Qishan; Min. of Commerce: Chen Deming; Min. of Finance: Xie Xuren; Min. of Foreign Affairs: Yang Jiechi; Min. of National Defense: Liang Guanglie; Governor, People's Bank of China: Zhou Xiaochuan

Hong Kong Special Administrative Region--Chief Executive: Donald Tsang; Chief Secretary for Administration: Tang, Henry; Secy. for Finance: Tsang, John

Macao Special Administrative Region--Chief Executive: Edmund Ho

China, Republic of (Taiwan)--President: Ma Ying-jeou; Vice President: Siew, Vincent; Prime Minister: Liu Chao-shiuan; Min. of Economic Affairs: Yiin Chii-ming; Min. of Finance: Lee Shu-te; Min. of Foreign Affairs: Ou, Francisco; Min. of National Defense: Chen Chao-min; Governor, Central Bank of China: Perng Fai-nan

Colombia, Republic of--President: Uribe Velez, Alvaro; Vice President: Santos Calderon, Francisco; Min. of Commerce, Industry & Tourism: Plata, Luis Guillermo; Min. of Defense: Santos Calderon, Juan Manuel; Min. of Finance & Public Credit: Zuluaga Escobar, Oscar Ivan; Min. of Foreign Relations: Bermudez Merizalde, Jaime; Min. of Interior & Justice: Valencia Cossio, Fabio; President, Central Bank: Uribe Escobar, Jose Dario; Prosecutor General: Iguaran Arana, Mario German

Comoros, Union of the--President of the Union: Sambi, Ahmed Abdallah; Vice Presidents: Dhoinine, Ikililou; Nadhoim, Idi; President of Anjouan: Toybou, Moussa; President of Grand Comore: Abdoulwahabi, Mohamed; President of Moheli: Said, Mohamed Ali; Min. of Foreign Relations: Jaffar, Ahmed Ben Sa'id

Congo, Democratic Republic of the*--President: Kabila, Joseph; Prime Minister: Gizenga, Antoine; Min. of Defense & Veterans Affairs: Diemu, Chikez; Min. of Finance: Matenda Kyelu, Athanase; Min. of Foreign Affairs: Mbusa Nyamwisi, Antipas; Min. of Interior: Kalume Numbi, Denis; Min. of Mines: Kabwelulu Labilo, Martin; Min. of State for Agriculture: Mobutu, Nzanga

*Gizenga, 83, September 25 submitted his resignation to Kabila, citing his advanced age.

Congo, Republic of the--President: Sassou-Nguesso, Denis; Prime Minister: Mvouba, Isidore; Min. of Economy, Finance & Budget: Issoikbeka, Pacifique; Min. of Foreign Affairs, Intl. Cooperation, & Relations with Francophone Countries: Ikouebe, Basile; Min. of Security & Public Order: Mbot, General Paul

Costa Rica, Republic of--President: Arias Sanchez, Oscar; First Vice President, Min. of Justice: Chinchilla, Laura; Min. of Finance: Zuniga, Guillermo; Min. of Foreign Relations: Stagno Ugarte, Bruno; Min. of Foreign Trade: Ruiz, Marco Vinicio; Min. of Labor & Social Security: Morales, Francisco

Cote d'Ivoire, Republic of--President: Gbagbo, Laurent; Prime Minister: Soro, Guillaume; Min. of Economy & Finance: Diby, Charles Koffi; Min. of Foreign Affairs: Bakayoko, Youssouf; Min. of Justice & Human Rights & Keeper of the Seal: Kone, Mamadou; Min. of Mines & Energy: Monnet, Emmanuel Leon

Croatia, Republic of--President: Mesic, Stipe; Prime Minister: Sanader, Ivo; Min. of Defense: Vukelic, Branko; Min. of Finance: Suker, Ivan; Min. of Foreign Affairs & European Integration: Jandrokovic, Gordan; Min. of the Interior: Mlinaric, Marijan

Cuba, Republic of--President of the Council of State and of the Council of Ministers: Castro Ruz, General Raul; First Vice President of the Council of State and of the Council of Ministers: Machado Ventura, General Jose Ramon; Vice Presidents of the Council of State: Almeida Bosque, Juan; Casas Reguiero, General Julio (also Min. of the Revolutionary Armed Forces); Colome Ibarra, General Abelardo (also Min. of Interior); Lage Davila, Carlos; Lazo Hernandez, Esteban; Min. of Economy & Planning: Rodriguez Garcia, Jose Luis; Min. of Foreign Relations: Perez Roque, Felipe