Ouattara says inauguration marked new chapter in Ivorian history

Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire (PANA) - Ivorian President, Alassane Ouattara, said Saturday that his inauguration marked a historic moment for the people of Côte d'Ivoire to write a new chapter in their history.

"This day is for the Ivorian people, a historic moment. Yes, this day is for all Ivorians, the beginning of an era that marks our common desire to write a new page in the history of our country," said Mr Ouattara in his inaugural speech.

"The severe crisis in Côte d'Ivoire following the presidential elections of 31 October and the run off on 28 November, 2010, is now behind us. It ended with the victory of democracy, which is, respecting the will of the Ivorian people," he said.

"It is a success for Cote d'Ivoire and for the whole of Africa, more than a simple inauguration ceremony at which you're invited, it is Côte d'Ivoire's comeback on the African and international stage we are celebrating today," he added.

Elected last November, Ouattara becomes the fourth president of independent Côte d'Ivoire after late Félix Houphouët-Boigny (1960-1993), Henri Konan Bedie (1993-1999) and Laurent Gbagbo (2000-2010).

Ouattara was inaugurated in Yamoussoukro, the political capital of the country, before an audience of foreign heads of state, including the French Nicolas Sarkozy and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon.
-0- PANA BAL/JSG/CEA/VAO 21May2011