NEW YORK, Jan.

The South African government could have prevented thousands of premature, AIDS-related deaths if it had provided antiretroviral drugs, a U.S.

South Africa's parliament Thursday appointed Kgalema Motlanthe, deputy president of the African National Congress, as the country's interim president. Motlanthe was sworn in and succeeds outgoing President Thabo Mbeki, who stepped down at the request of the ANC, CNN reported.

South Africa's Parliament is expected to tap Kgalema Motlanthe, deputy leader of the African National Congress, to succeed Thabo Mbeki as president.

Text of report by South African privately-owned, established daily newspaper The Star website on 25 September [Report by Moshoeshoe Monare and Xolani Mbanjwa: "Mbeki Lauded as he Bows Out"] An "emotional and aggrieved" cabinet have paid tribute to Thabo Mbeki for his achievements, defended his integrity to the bitter end and elected Communications Minister Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri as acting president for about 12 hours.