January 3, 2002	Thursday	Shawwal 18, 1422

BUENOS AIRES, Jan 2: Peronist Eduardo Duhalde formally took office as Argentine president on Wednesday after being elected by Congress to run the country until Dec 10 next year.

Duhalde, 60, received the sash of office and the presidential staff at a ceremony held at the presidential palace known as the Casa Rosada, or Pink House.

The former vice president under Carlos Menem and former Buenos Aires governor was elected by an overwhelming Congress majority on Tuesday night, obtaining the post he failed to get in a 1999 presidential election won by Fernando de la Rua.

De la Rua quit on Dec 20, and his successor, Adolfo Rodriguez Saa, resigned 10 days later at the height of a deep economic and social crisis.—AFP