British PM congratulates appointment of Northern Ireland's first female leader

British Prime Minister David Cameron on Monday congratulated the appointment of Northern Ireland's first female leader.

Britain's Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Arlene Foster on Monday became first minister of Northern Ireland, local authorities have announced.

Foster is the first woman to become both the DUP's leader and first minister in Northern Ireland.

The 45-year-old was formally appointed to the role on Monday at the Northern Ireland assembly, the local parliament, in Belfast.

Foster took over the job from Peter Robinson, who had been first minister of Northern Ireland for nearly eight years before announcing his retirement last November.

She previously served as minister for finance and personnel and minister for enterprise, trade and investment in the Northern Ireland government.

British Prime Minister David Cameron expressed his congratulations to Foster via his Twitter account, saying: "I look forward to working with her on a positive future for NI (Northern Ireland)."

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon also sent her good wishes to Northern Ireland's new leader, adding: "It's heartening to see another female First Minister."