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Pakistan swears in new president Mamnoon Hussain Pakistan swears in new president Mamnoon Hussain
(about 2 hours later)
Pakistan is swearing in its new president, Mamnoon Hussain. Pakistan's new president Mamnoon Hussain has been sworn in at a ceremony in the capital, Islamabad.
On Sunday Asif Ali Zardari ended five years in office, becoming Pakistan's first democratically-elected president to complete his tenure. He replaces Asif Ali Zardari who stood down on Sunday after becoming Pakistan's first democratically-elected president to complete a full term.
The 58-year-old widower of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto received a guard of honour from the armed forces. Mr Hussain, a businessman, is a close ally of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
The largely ceremonial post of president is elected by members of parliament and provincial assemblies, but has little political power.The largely ceremonial post of president is elected by members of parliament and provincial assemblies, but has little political power.
Mr Zardari replaced former military ruler Pervez Musharraf and agreed to constitutional amendments in 2010 that handed many of the president's powers to the prime minister. The swearing-in of Mamnoon Hussain came as leaders of political parties in Pakistan met to discuss the country's security strategy.
Mr Hussain is set to take his oath in a ceremony presided over by Pakistan's Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry on Monday afternoon. Military and intelligence chiefs were to brief politicians during the meeting, which was chaired by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
"We have to rise above politics on some issues and develop a national consensus for the sake of this country," Mr Sharif told those gathered as talks opened.
Mr Hussain, 73, took the oath of office in a ceremony presided over by Pakistan's Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry.
He was a surprise candidate for the ruling PML-N party but once nominated his election was a foregone conclusion, correspondents say.He was a surprise candidate for the ruling PML-N party but once nominated his election was a foregone conclusion, correspondents say.
A businessman from Karachi, he is known for his loyalty to the PML-N and many feel this made him a trusted candidate for the post. A businessman from Karachi and former state governor, he is known for his loyalty to the PML-N and many feel this made him a trusted candidate for the post.
He takes over from Mr Zardari whose main achievement, many say, was presiding over Pakistan's first peaceful transfer of power between two democratically-elected governments. He takes over from Mr Zardari, who received a guard of honour from the armed forces as he ended his term in office on Sunday.
The 58-year-old widower of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto succeeded former military ruler Pervez Musharraf and agreed to constitutional amendments in 2010 that handed many of the president's powers to the prime minister.
His main achievement, many say, was presiding over Pakistan's first peaceful transfer of power between two democratically-elected governments.
But his time in office was dogged by confrontation with the military and judiciary.But his time in office was dogged by confrontation with the military and judiciary.
Analysts say his government did little to address mounting economic problems and the country remains beset by a Taliban insurgency.Analysts say his government did little to address mounting economic problems and the country remains beset by a Taliban insurgency.
The swearing-in of Mamnoon Hussain comes as leaders of political parties in Pakistan are meeting to discuss the country's security strategy.
Military and intelligence chiefs were to brief politicians during the meeting, which is being chaired by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
"We have to rise above politics on some issues and develop a national consensus for the sake of this country," Mr Sharif told those gathered as talks opened.