Ghazouani sworn in as new Mauritanian president

By Mohamed al-Bakay

NOUAKCHOTT, Mauritania (AA) - Mohamed Ould Ghazouani was sworn in as Mauritania’s newly elected president on Thursday for a five-year term, state television reported.

Constitutional Council head Galo Mamado Batiahas announced his presidency during the inauguration ceremony.

The heads of states of 12 African countries attended the ceremony along with delegations from several Arab and European countries.

Ghazouani, 63, is the tenth president of Mauritania since its independence from France in 1960.

He won the June 22 presidential election with 52% of the votes.

*Bassel Barakat contributed to this report from Ankara