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Zardari takes office in Pakistan Zardari takes office in Pakistan
(40 minutes later)
Asif Ali Zardari, the widower of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, has been sworn in as Pakistan's president.Asif Ali Zardari, the widower of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, has been sworn in as Pakistan's president.
The inauguration follows Mr Zardari's sweeping victory in a presidential election by legislators on Saturday. Mr Zardari was swept to the presidency in a parliamentary vote following Pervez Musharraf's resignation.
The polls were called after Pervez Musharraf resigned rather than risk being impeached. After the inauguration, Mr Zardari said Pakistan would work together with its neighbours, including Afghanistan, to deal with the region's challenges.
Mr Zardari faces severe economic problems and a rampant Islamist insurgency that is threatening Pakistan's stability. Pakistan faces severe economic problems and a rampant Islamist insurgency that threatens the country's stability.
During Saturday's voting, a bomb killed at least 30 people near Peshawar city. Mr Zardari was sworn in at a ceremony in the capital Islamabad, where he pledged loyalty to the constitution and to Islam, Pakistan's state ideology.
Prominent among the guests was Afghanistan's President Hamid Karzai.
Big challengesBig challenges
The inauguration serves as an opportunity for Mr Zardari to be internationally recognised, with guests such as Afghan President Hamid Karzai, the BBC's Barbara Plett in Islamabad says. Shortly after the ceremony, Mr Zardari and Mr Karzai held a joint news conference.
Repairing relations with neighbouring Afghanistan is just one the challenges facing the new president. Mr Karzai has accused Pakistan of not doing enough to stop militants crossing into Afghanistan to launch attacks.
ASIF ALI ZARDARI Wife of assassinated former PM Benazir BhuttoTook over her PPP after her death in DecemberSpent 11 years in jail on corruption charges, but not convictedBorn in Karachi, 1955 Profile: Asif Ali ZardariZardari urged to tackle militantsVoices from unstable bordersASIF ALI ZARDARI Wife of assassinated former PM Benazir BhuttoTook over her PPP after her death in DecemberSpent 11 years in jail on corruption charges, but not convictedBorn in Karachi, 1955 Profile: Asif Ali ZardariZardari urged to tackle militantsVoices from unstable borders
Mr Zardari's son Bilawal - co-chairman of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) - was in the audience, as were diplomats and politicians. Mr Zardari - who took over leadership of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) after the assassination of his wife, Benazir Bhutto - said democracy in Pakistan had come full circle.
There were also high-ranking representatives of the military, which Mr Zardari and his party have often seen as their enemy, says our correspondent. He paid tribute to his wife, saying: "I accept the presidency of Pakistan in the name of... Benazir Bhutto. I accept this in her name and in the name of all the martyrs of democracy."
Sitting next to Bilawal were his two sisters Bakhtawar and Asifa and Benazir Bhutto's sister Sanam, who shed tears as the ceremony was about to begin. The two presidents pledged to stand together to solve their region's problems.
Mr Zardari was greeted by applause and a fanfare as he entered the hall. Pakistan and Afghanistan are like "twins joined," said Mr Karzai. "They are inseparable," he said, adding that they suffered "the same problems, the same evils".
He swore allegiance to the constitution and to Islam, as the state ideology of Pakistan. "Afghanistan will be there in each step that you take in our joint struggle for peace and prosperity in the region... in each step that you take in the war against terrorism."
Afterwards there were cries of "long live Bhutto", a reminder, adds our correspondent that he achieved his position because he took over the leadership of the PPP due to his wife's assassination. In the past, Mr Karzai has accused Pakistan of not doing enough to stop militants crossing into Afghanistan to launch attacks.
'Martyrs of democracy' But repairing relations with neighbouring Afghanistan is just one the tasks facing the new president.
At a joint news conference with Mr Karzai after the inauguration, the two presidents promised to work together to solve the region's problems. His greatest challenge will be how to develop an effective policy to deal with the Islamist insurgency, says the BBC's Barbara Plett in Islamabad.
Mr Zardari paid tribute to his murdered wife, saying: "I accept the presidency of Pakistan in the name of... Benazir Bhutto. I accept this in her name and in the name of all the martyrs of democracy." This will include dealing with an increasingly aggressive American ally, which has stepped up direct strikes against militant targets in Pakistan's border region, our correspondent adds.
He said democracy had come full circle in Pakistan. 'Long live Bhutto'
His greatest challenge, though, will be how to develop an effective policy to deal with the Islamist insurgency; and how to deal with an increasingly aggressive American ally, which has stepped up direct strikes against militant targets in Pakistan's border region, our correspondent says. Mr Zardari's inauguration was attended by diplomats and politicians as well as by high-ranking members of the military, which Mr Zardari and his party have often seen as their enemy, our correspondent says.
It is a very significant day in the history of Pakistan Farzana Raja, aide to Mr Zardari 'Master plan' to save PakistanSend us your comments
Mr Zardari's son Bilawal - co-chairman of the PPP - was in the audience with his two sisters Bakhtawar and Asifa and Benazir Bhutto's sister Sanam, who shed tears as the ceremony was about to begin.
Mr Zardari was greeted by applause and a fanfare as he entered the hall. After he took the oath there were cries of "long live Bhutto.
ControversyControversy
Pakistan's president is elected by secret ballots in the national and four provincial assemblies.Pakistan's president is elected by secret ballots in the national and four provincial assemblies.
Mr Zardari won 481 votes out of 702, far more than the 352 votes that would have guaranteed him victory, leaving his two rivals trailing far behind.Mr Zardari won 481 votes out of 702, far more than the 352 votes that would have guaranteed him victory, leaving his two rivals trailing far behind.
It is a very significant day in the history of Pakistan Farzana Raja, aide to Mr Zardari 'Master plan' to save PakistanSend us your comments
Mr Zardari was thrust into the centre of political power by the killing of Ms Bhutto last December after which he became head of the PPP.Mr Zardari was thrust into the centre of political power by the killing of Ms Bhutto last December after which he became head of the PPP.
He is one of Pakistan's most controversial politicians.He is one of Pakistan's most controversial politicians.
For years he has been hounded by allegations of massive corruption - although he has never been convicted.For years he has been hounded by allegations of massive corruption - although he has never been convicted.
Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif took his PML-N party out of the governing coalition last month, accusing Mr Zardari of breaking key promises.Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif took his PML-N party out of the governing coalition last month, accusing Mr Zardari of breaking key promises.
Many in Pakistan fear the country is facing a return to an old-style politics of confrontation.Many in Pakistan fear the country is facing a return to an old-style politics of confrontation.
Are you in Pakistan? Are you optimistic or pessimistic for the future with Mr Zardari as President? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.Are you in Pakistan? Are you optimistic or pessimistic for the future with Mr Zardari as President? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.
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