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Abkhazia inaugurates new president

Ankvab won the majority of votes both in the capital and in all other regions without exception, including polling stations opened in Moscow and Cherkessk

SUKHUM, September 26 (Itar-Tass) —— A ceremony of inaugurating a new president of Abkhazia has been held in Sukhum on Monday.

Chairman of the Russian Federation Council Valentina Matviyenko, deputies of the Abkhazian parliament and Chairman of the Supreme Court of Abkhazia Roman Mushba attended the inauguration ceremony.

The ceremony was modest with no foreign guests officially invited. The low tone of the inauguration ceremony of the new president was linked to the early death of former Abkhazian President Sergei Bagapsh followed by the early presidential election held on August 26.

Three candidates - Alexander Ankvab, Raul Khadzhimba and Sergei Shamba, contested the presidential post. Alexander Ankvab collected 54.9 percent of votes in his support, beating his main rivals -Raul Khadzhimba, who collected 19. 82 percent of the votes, and Sergei Shamba, who was supported by 21. 02 percent of the electorate.

Ankvab won the majority of votes both in the capital and in all other regions without exception, including polling stations opened in Moscow and Cherkessk.

The newly elected president took his oath, declaring he would strictly abide by the Constitution and would use all his knowledge and strength to ensure peace, calm and well-being in Abkhazia and that he would act as a guarantor of strict compliance with the constitution by the bodies of power and a guarantor of ensuring all rights and freedoms of Abkhazian citizens.

Vice-president of Abkhazia Mikhail Logua has been sworn into office on Monday as well.

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