Tajik President Inaugurated

Tajik President Imomali Rakhmonov (file photo) (epa) November 18, 2006 -- Tajik President Imomali Rakhmonov has been inaugurated to his next seven-year term in a ceremony in Dushanbe.

Official figures said Rakhmonov, who has ruled Tajikistan since 1992, won nearly 80 percent of the votes cast in the November 6 election.

Monitors from the Organization For Security And Cooperation In Europe said the poll showed some improvement over the 1999 elections, but that the vote still did not meet international standards for democratic elections.

In his inaugural speech, Rakhmonov plegded peace, stability, and unity of the people. Amid growing concern over the suppression of dissent, he vowed to do more to develop democracy and also improve the country's economy.

After his address, Rakhmonov rode in an open-topped car to the central square in Dushanbe, where 5,000 soldiers swore an oath of service before a parade that ended with an artillery salute.