Assad sworn in as Syrian president

DAMASCUS - Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was sworn in on Saturday for a seven-year term in office following his successful re-election in May.

State-run television aired the live video of Assad's swearing-in ceremony at the People's Palace, the residence of the president in the capital Damascus.

The 55-year-old Syrian leader garnered 95.1 percent of votes in the recent presidential election. About 14 million of an estimated 18 million eligible voters inside and outside Syria cast their votes, with a turnout rate of over 78 percent.

Assad's victory was largely anticipated as his competitors in the race were a low-profile opposition figure and a former cabinet minister.