Alexander Lukashenko was sworn in as the president of Belarus Wednesday in the Palace of Independence, the official news agency Belta said.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko waves to his supporters at the forum of Union of Women in Minsk, Belarus, September 17, 2020. /Reuters
Holding his right hand on the Constitution, Lukashenko took the oath in Belarusian.
"Assuming the office of the President of the Republic of Belarus, I solemnly swear to faithfully serve the people of the Republic of Belarus, to respect and protect the rights and freedoms of man and of the citizen, to observe and protect the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus, and to fulfill strictly and conscientiously the lofty duties that have been bestowed upon me."
Belarus has been witnessing mass protests after incumbent President Lukashenko won a sixth term in the August 9 elections, with the opposition refusing to recognize the results.
The country is facing the prospect of US and European Union sanctions over the election.
