Jose Ramos-Horta has been sworn in as East Timor's second president on a pledge to unite the nation more than a year after violence brought down its first government.
Ramos-Horta took the oath of office during a ceremony at par
Ramos-Horta, 57, was sworn in by Francisco "Lu-Olo" Guterres, the head of the parliament and the man he beat convincingly in the election.
"I swear in the name of God and the people ... to consolidate the freedom and national unity with all the energy that I have," R The decisive victory by the 1996 Nobel Peace Prize winner has led to hopes of an era of peace and stability following violence last year that killed 37 people and brought down the government. In June, the country will hold parliamentary elections for the next prime minister – a more powerful job than that of the largely ceremonial president's post. East Timor broke free from decades of brutal Indonesian rule in 1999 following a UN-sponsored ballot. Retreating Indonesian troops destroyed much of the country, which was administered by the United Nation's until 2002.
The decisive victory by the 1996 Nobel Peace Prize winner has led to hopes of an era of peace and stability following violence last year that killed 37 people and brought down the government.
In June, the country will hold parliamentary elections for the next prime minister – a more powerful job than that of the largely ceremonial president's post.
East Timor broke free from decades of brutal Indonesian rule in 1999 following a UN-sponsored ballot.
Retreating Indonesian troops destroyed much of the country, which was administered by the United Nation's until 2002.