Hadi in, Saleh out as Yemen's president

SANAA, Yemen, Feb. 27 (UPI) -- Yemeni President Abed Rabu Mansour Hadi was inaugurated Monday in Sanaa, marking the first time in more than three decades Yemen has a new ruler.

Hadi was the only candidate on the ballot in the country's presidential election last week that saw the end to the reign of Ali Abdullah Saleh.

Saleh, who left office under an agreement brokered by the Gulf Cooperation Council to end months of protests and violence over his rule, said he was turning over the "banner of the revolution, of the republic, of freedom, of security and of stability… to safe hands."

Saleh formally stepped aside but Yemen's Republican Guard is still led by his son, Ahmed, Iran's Press TV reported.

Under the agreement, Hadi will serve for two years, after which presidential and parliamentary elections will be conducted.

Hadi was sworn in Saturday. In his speech, he promised to keep up the fight against al-Qaida, calling such action "a religious and national duty" for Yemenis, CNN reported Monday.

"The country does not need additional crises to deepen its wounds, as the next period requires serious dialogue and clear outlines through a new constitution that meets the national expectations," Hadi said.