Mexican President Felipe Calderon has named Fernando Francisco Gomez Mont as the country's new interior minister.

Gomez Mont's predecessor Juan Camilo Mourino died on Nov. 4 in a plane crash, which killed all eight people aboard the aircraft and five others on the ground in northwestern Mexico City.

A probe into the crash is underway.

Mexico's interior minister is in charge of domestic security and coordinates agreements with the opposition to boost executive reform. He is the second highest government official after the president.

Calderon yesterday announced the appointment of Gomez Mont during a TV broadcast from the presidential residence Los Pinos.

Gomez Mont, 45, is a member of Calderon's National Action Party(PAN) and representative of the ruling party to the Electoral Federal Institute (IFE). He is an attorney who has defended bankers and businessmen in some of Mexico's highest-profile cases.

Calderon said he had directed Gomez Mont to prevent organized crime syndicates from influencing next year's midterm congressional elections. The president has warned that drug cartels are trying to intimidate or buy candidates.

Calderon also said Gomez Mont will boost government reforms related to security and justice.

Gomez Mont thanked Calderon and said he will continue the work of Mourino.

He promised to focus on advances in security and justice, economic growth, competitiveness, action to combat poverty, generation of opportunities and governance.

"I will work so that all Mexican families can live better," said Gomez Mont, adding that he will seek convergence to allow Mexico to go ahead with the reforms needed to face the great challenges that lay ahead.