Mali's new interim president took office Thursday, taking over power from military men who staged a military coup on March 22nd. Dioncounda Traore, who heads the country's national assembly, will serve as Mali's president for 40 days following an agreement between West African regional mediators and the leader of the junta that seized power last month. Under intense international pressure and regional financial sanctions, Mali's coup leaders signed an accord last Friday, agreeing to return the country to constitutional rule.