He will hold the position until he is either confirmed by parliament or someone else is appointed.

Gurib-Fakim, Africa's only female head of state, submitted her resignation in the "national interest" following accusations that she used a bank card provided by an NGO to make personal purchases, including jewellery and luxury goods worth at least 25,000 euros.

In a statement as she handed over power on Friday, Gurib-Fakim said she had "a heavy heart" but insisted that she would be cleared by any investigation.