The Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva accepted the resignation of Brazilian Defence Minister Waldir Pires in the wake of the country's worst plane crash last week.

In Brazil the Defense Ministry is also in charge with civil aviation and Waldir Pires has been criticized repeatedly for not solving the Brazil’s aviation crisis which began last year when a Brazilian Boeing crashed with a smaller plane in mid-air over the Amazon rainforest killing 154 people.

Pires will be replaced by former Federal Supreme Court president Nelson Jobim.

At Jobim's swearing-in, President Lula acknowledged that Brazil is confronted with an aviation crisis "It's no secret to any Brazilian that we have an aviation crisis," Silva said during his speech.  

"We need to rethink the Defense Ministry in this country," Lula added. "We need a Defense Ministry with sufficient strength to make the changes that need to be made."

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has promised also a thorough investigation of the accident that happened last week at Sao Paulo's Congonhas airport.

An Airbus A320, which was arriving from Porto Alegre, overshot the runway in rainy weather, crossed a busy highway and struck a freight depot and petrol station, sparking a huge fire.

According to the official figure released today by the Brazilian airline TAM in the incident were killed "at least 198" people.

The Airbus A320 was carrying 187 people, all whom died, as did 11 people on the ground. TAM noted that the figures could still rise. Until now only 63 victims were identified.