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Interim president sworn in

    ABIDJAN
    Malam Becai Sanha was on Friday sworn as Guinea Bissau's interim president, Lusa reported. The 52-year-old Sanha, who until his appointment was speaker of the national assembly, is the country's first Muslim president and third head of state. He replaces Joao Bernardo Vieira, ousted after an 11-month revolt. In his inaugural speech, Sanha pledged to hold presidential and legislative elections on 28 November as scheduled. He appealed for national reconciliation, Lusa reported, and promised to respect the rights of the deposed Vieira, who remained in the Portuguese Embassy in Bissau while a diplomatic tussle continued over his fate. The Military Junta that overthrew Vieira wants him tried for crimes against the state, but Portugal has said it has granted him political asylum and will not hand him over against his will.

    This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

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