Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee has been appointed to serve as acting President in the absence of the President and Prime Minister, both of whom are overseas on scheduled visits.

President Bharrat Jagdeo left Guyana on Thursday for the Middle East on an official visit with a delegation which includes Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett; Housing Minister, Irfan Ali and General Secretary of the PPP, Donald Ramotar.

The Prime Minister has also left Guyana, but is visiting Cuba according to a Government Information Agency (GINA) press release issued yesterday. The release said too that Agriculture Minister, Robert Persaud has also been sworn temporarily as acting Prime Minister.

Last year the President had proceeded on a series of visits to the Middle East including stops in Syria and Greece, but he ended the tour following the death of former President, Janet Jagan in March 2009.

The government had previously said that the Middle East visits are aimed at attracting investors to the country.