Honduran president takes office

The New Honduran president, Porfirio Lobo has taken office. His inauguration ceremony ended months of political turmoil, following an unsuccessful quest by ousted leader Manuel Zelaya to return to power following a coup.

Lobo, received the presidential sash in a ceremony on Wednesday after winning the November election. The vote had been denounced by many countries as illegitimate since it was organized by a de facto government. Lobo will serve for four years, from 2010 to 2014.

He pledged to unite Honduras and return peace to the country. He also promised better education, an efficient health system, more opportunity for employment and greater security while vowing to offer more assistance to the agriculture sector.

Porfirio Lobo, Honduran president, said, "Today a new era begins in our history. Today we are going to start writing a page of our history where the human dignity is a priority together with the commonwealth and the solidarity."

Wearing the presidential sash, Honduras' President Porfirio Lobo, waves after being inaugurated as the new president during a ceremony in Tegucigalpa, Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2010. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)