Vladimir Putin sworn in as Russian President

PanARMENIAN.Net - Vladimir Putin was sworn in as Russian President on Monday in a glittering Kremlin ceremony that took place less than 24 hours after protesters opposed to his rule had battled police in downtown Moscow, RIA Novosti reports.

“I swear on the power invested in me as president of the Russian Federation to respect and protect the rights and freedom of its citizens,” Putin said, his right hand placed on a red-bound copy of the Russian Constitution.

Russia’s nuclear suitcase was handed over to Putin immediately after his inauguration.

Putin’s motorcade had earlier sped through empty streets locked down by a heavy security presence on its way to the Kremlin State Palace, where some 2,000 guests had gathered to witness his inauguration for a six-year term. Those present included Putin’s handpicked successor, Dmitry Medvedev, and Patriarch Kirill, head of Russia’s powerful Orthodox Church.

Former Italian Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi, was also in attendance.

“We are entering a new stage of national development,” Putin said. “We want to live in a democratic country…in a successful Russia.”

Police made 120 arrests as some 200 people, including Yeltsin-era deputy PM Boris Nemtsov, protested Putin’s return to the presidency at separate locations near the Kremlin.

Putin was forced to step down in 2008 by a Constitution that forbids more than two subsequent terms, but is silent on further periods in office. He shifted to the post of prime minister after installing his hand-picked successor, Dmitry Medvedev, in the Kremlin, but remained by far Russia’s most powerful politician.

He won a landslide victory at March 4 presidential elections marred by allegations of vote fraud.