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Updated Saturday, February 18, 2012 0:03 am TWN, By Anton Lomov ,AFP

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Turkmenistan strongman sworn in for second term

ASHGABAT -- Turkmenistan's President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov was sworn in Friday for a second term after winning elections in the isolated ex-Soviet state with more than 97 percent of the vote.

Berdymukhamedov appeared to distance himself from Turkmenistan's late dictator Saparmurat Niyazov in the lavish inauguration ceremony, making no mention of his predecessor's eccentric rule which lasted to his death in 2006.

“I, Gurbanguly Myalikgulyevich Berdymukhamedov, assuming the office of president of the neutral state of Turkmenistan, swear to abide by the Constitution and by Turkmen law,” he declared as he took the oath of office.

Berdymukhamedov conspicuously excluded a phrase about working under the inspiration of Niyazov that was included in the oath he read on taking office after his first election victory in early 2007.

He also did not repeat his gesture from five years ago of placing to his forehead a copy of the Rukhnama — a spiritual guidebook for the Turkmen nation supposedly written by Niyazov which was given almost sacred status under the latter's rule.

The grand ceremony at The Palace of the Soviets in Ashgabat was attended by some 3,000 officials and included dozens of posters from supporters reading “We Support the President's Course.”

The festive event saw Berdymukhamedov, 54, bow down on one knee before the Turkmen flag and kiss its corner before being handed the official certificate of president by the head of the central election commission.

He also placed his hand on the Koran and the constitution.

Berdymukhamedov won 97.14 percent of the vote in Feb. 12 polls against seven rivals who were all loyal members of the elite and none of whom made the slightest effort to criticize his record.

His nearest competitor mustered barely over one percent of the vote.

In keeping with the harmonious tone of the election campaign, all of Berdymukhamedov's seven former competitors were present at the swearing-in ceremony and greeted him warmly, an AFP correspondent said.

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