Tebboune sworn in as Algeria's new president

ALGIERS

Abdelmadjid Tebboune was sworn as Algeria's president on Thursday after winning last week's election.

The swearing-in was held at the International Conferences Center where Kamal Fneish, head of the Constitutional Council, announced official results and declared Tebboune's mandate to rule the country for the next five years.

In his inauguration speech, Tebboune said that "the popular movement stopped the collapse of the state and its institutions," referring to protests which led to the resignation of his predecessor Abdelaziz Bouteflika, who stepped down in April.

"I renew my commitment to reach out to everyone in order to achieve the remaining aspirations within the framework and laws of the republic, and we must turn the page on differences and discrimination," he added.

Tebboune won 58.15% of the vote in the Dec. 12 election.

Separately, Prime Minister Noureddine Bedoui submitted his resignation to Tebboune, who tasked Foreign Minister Sabri Boukadoum to be a caretaker premier.

Tebboune, 74, previously served a brief stint as prime minister in 2017, and also earlier held several ministerial positions.

Between 1984 and 1991, he served separate terms as the mayor of Tiaret, Adrar, and Tizi Ouzou.

Seen by many as one of the symbols of the two-decade Bouteflika regime, Tebboune pledged during his campaign to meet the demands of protesters.

*Bassel Barakat contributed to this report from Ankara