The nomination of Radovanovic, an ethnic Serb, was approved by the central parliament after two previous Serb nominees were found to have committed alleged crimes during the country's 1992-95 war.

Radovanovic, 44, graduated from the Royal College for Defense Studies in London and holds a postgraduate degree in international relations and diplomacy from Oxford University.

The post of central defence minister was created last year under pressure from NATO, which is demanding massive military reform in exchange for negotiations on Bosnia's possible membership of the alliance.

"There were some delays but I believe that we will manage to do all that is necessary to join the Partnership for Peace program in Istanbul," Radovanovic told FENA news agency after his appointment.

Bosnia hopes to join the NATO's Partnership for Peace program, seen as the first step toward membership, during an alliance summit in Istanbul in June.

Parliament also approved Radovanovic's two deputies, Marina Pendes and Enes Becirbasic, an ethnic Croat and a Muslim respectively.

Bosnia was split into two highly autonomous entities -- the Muslim-Croat federation and the Serbs' Republika Srpska -- after the war. The two halves are linked by weak central institutions and each has its own army.

International high representative to Bosnia, Paddy Ashdown, said Radovanovic's appointment should serve as a "catalyst" for military reform.

WAR.WIRE