Nigeria Swears in New President

Goodluck Jonathan, Nigeria's acting president, has been sworn in as the country's new leader following the death of Umaru Yar'Adua.

Jonathan took the oath of office at a ceremony in the capital, Abuja, on Thursday, just hours after officials announced the death of Yar'Adua following a long illness.
Yar'Adua will be buried in his northern home state of Katsina later in the day, while the country has begun seven days of mourning for the president.


Yar'Adua had not been seen since February when he returned from treatment in Saudi Arabia [EPA]

Jonathan had already been running the country after assuming the position of acting president on February 9, while Yar'Adua was in Saudi Arabia receiving medical treatment.

Under the constitution, Jonathan is now the head of state until the country's next elections scheduled to be held by April 2011. He will also nominate a vice-president, subject to approval by the senate.