PROVISIONAL CONSTITUTION Article 99. Responsibilities of the Council of Ministers The Council of Ministers has the powers to: (a) Formulate the overall government policy and implement it;; (b) Approve and implement administrative regulations, in accordance with the law;; (c) Prepare draft laws, and table them before the House of the People of the Federal Parliament;; (d) Prepare the annual budget and finalise the accounts;; (e) Set the national development plan;; (f) Implement laws, ensure national security, and protect state interests;; (g) Appoint and dismiss senior public officials;; (h) Propose the appointment or dismissal of ambassadors, consuls and diplomats;; and (i) Exercise any other power conferred upon it by the Constitution or by other laws. Article 100. Responsibilities and Powers of the Prime Minister The responsibilities of the Prime Minister are to: (a) Be the Head of the Federal Government;; (b) Appoint and dismiss members of the Council of Ministers;; (c) Present the Council of Ministers and government program before the House of the People of the Federal Parliament to seek their endorsement;; (d) Carry out any other function conferred upon him or her by the Constitution or by any other law that complies with the Constitution and its underlying values. Article 101. Deputy Prime Minister The Deputy Prime Minister acts for the Prime Minister when the Prime Minister is out of the country, and carries out other responsibilities as may be delegated by the Prime Minister. Article 102. Functions of the Minister, Deputy-Minister, and State Minister (1) Every Minister is personally responsible for the functions of his Ministry. (2) Every Deputy-Minister shall carry out functions delegated to him by his Minister. (3) State ministers shall carry out specific functions assigned to them by the Prime Minister. Article 103. Caretaker Government Between the date of a general election and the swearing in of the new Prime Minister, the existing Prime Minister and Council of Ministers shall continue to serve in a caretaker capacity to carry out routine duties. 32