TRIPOLI (AP) ― Libya’s transitional leaders swore on a Quran to uphold the ideals of the revolution that toppled Moammar Gadhafi as they took their oaths of office Thursday, another key step in the country’s hoped-for march toward democracy.

The lineup of relative unknowns, almost all of them older men, will confront daunting challenges, like establishing control over the fractured nation after the ousting of Gadhafi’s 42-year regime, along with building up state institutions practically from scratch.

Prime Minister Prime Minister Abdurrahim el-Keib took his vow before the transitional council’s leader, Mustafa Abdel-Jalil. He then placed his hand on an ornately decorated Quran and swore to “remain loyal to the goals” of the revolution.

El-Keib said he and his ministers were “upbeat” and optimistic about leading Libya toward elections, scheduled to take place by next June.

“We are looking forward to having an exciting seven months ahead of us, with lots of things to do and hopefully good results,” el-Keib told reporters after the ceremony.

One by one, the ministers took their oath before approaching Abdel-Jalil and shaking his hand. Some, moved by the symbolic moment, also embraced him as they stood before two national flags.

The transitional cabinet includes 24 ministers, though several, including the defense minister, were missing from Thursday’s ceremony. The prime minister explained that they were out of Tripoli, some of them attending to personal preparations in their hometowns before taking up their new posts.