WASHINGTON, June 5: The United States welcomed on Wednesday the swearing-in of Nawaz Sharif as prime minister as a `significant milestone` in the South Asian nation`s democracy.

`We look forward to working with him and the newly democratically elected government of Pakistan,` State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said.

`The United States stands with all Pakistanis in welcoming this historic, largely peaceful and transparent transfer of civilian power, which is a significant milestone in Pakistan`s democratic progress.

More than 13 years after Mr Sharif was deposed in a coup and sent into exile, the 63-year-old was formally chosen by a vote in the National Assembly and later took the oath of office from President Asif Ali Zardari.-AFP