The new president of Kazakhstan has been inaugurated, promising to pursue the course of his predecessor, who had run the country since independence.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev took the oath of office on Wednesday, three days after the election in which he recorded about 70 per cent of the vote.
Tokayev was acting president following the surprise resignation in March of Nursultan Nazarbayev.
"It has to be recognised that, in these elections, citizens voted for the continuation of the course of the Elbasy," said Tokayev, referring to the title accorded to Nazarbayev meaning "leader of the nation."