Brazil's interim president vows to improve economy

Brazilian interim President Michel Temer pledged on Thursday to renew economic growth and cut unnecessary public posts, denying charges that he would cut government social programs.

In his first speech as acting president, the former vice president voiced the urgency of creating a government of "national salvation" so that "we can overcome the serious crisis that we are in."

Temer spoke at the presidential headquarters of Planalto, just minutes after President Dilma Rousseff vacated the offices after lawmakers voted to put her on trial for allegedly misrepresenting public finances.

Surrounded by his new cabinet and other officials, Temer noted that dialogue was the first step towards facing the challenges and guaranteeing renewed economic growth.

"Nobody has the best way to go about making the reforms that are needed (but) the government, the parliament, society ... together we will find a way," he said.

Temer said that he wanted to boost public-private sector agreement to "generate employment in the country," and to make reforms.

Temer highlighted the need to rescue Brazil's credibility in the international market "so that entrepreneurs and workers become enthusiastic and invest and employ once again in Brazil."

Temer, who had been the South American country's vice president for the last five years, also denied charges from Rousseff's Workers' Party and its allies that he would cut government social programs.

"We all know that Brazil is a poor country and I confirm, with capital letters, that we will keep the social programs .... They are projects that were successful and for that reason they will have improved management," Temer said.

He added that he wanted to put a stop to "the habit that each new government has of destroying what was previously done. You have to honor what was done well and improve it."

"We have already got rid of several ministries in the government and we will not stop there," he said, adding his government was looking to cut unnecessary public posts.

Temer also said that the Carwash Operation, an investigation into alleged corruption within the government-run oil company Petrobras, "should be protected." Endi