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ASHGABAT, Feb 14: Kurbanguly Berdymukhamedov became gas-rich Turkmenistan's new president on Wednesday, pledging to follow a path set by late authoritarian leader Saparmurat Niyazov and to respect existing energy contracts.
As acting leader in a one-party state, Mr Berdymukhamedov had always been the clear favourite to win Sunday's election but the authorities delayed announcing his 89 per cent poll victory until minutes before the swearing in ceremony. “I will devote my life to the greater glory of Oguz Khan (a Turkic historical figure) and will follow the course of Turkmenbashi the Great (Leader of the Turkmens),” he said in the ceremony.—Reuters
