1st LD Writethru: Filipe Nyusi sworn in as Mozambique's new president

Filipe Nyusi was sworn in as Mozambique's new president on Thursday in the country's capital city Maputo.

The inauguration ceremony kicked off at 10 a.m. local time at the Independence Square. Mozambican officials and foreign dignitaries, together with thousands of citizens, watched the ceremony.

Among the dignitaries are Portuguese President Anibal Cavaco Silva, South African President Jacob Zuma, Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete and Namibian President Hifikepunye Pohamba. Chinese President Xi Jinping's special envoy, Justice Minister Wu Aiying, also attended the ceremony.

According to the official agenda, a musical concert will be held at the independence square.

Nyusi, 56, the winner of last October's presidential election, is the fourth president of Mozambique since the southern African country's independence in 1975.

Nyusi has served as defense minister from 2008 to early 2014, and was elected as the ruling Frelimo's presidential candidate at the end of last February, to replace incumbent president Armando Guebuza.

Born in the northern province of Cabo Delgado which borders with Tanzania, Nyusi joined the then Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo) in 1973 when he was only 14 years old, and received politico-military training in Nachingwea guerrilla training center, in Tanzania. Endi