The People's Council of Turkmenistan approved Berdymukhammedov as new head of the Turkmen state immediately following the announcement of the central election committee that he had won the presidential election with 89.7% of the vote.
The Central Asian country bordering on Afghanistan held its first alternative presidential election on Sunday to replace the late authoritarian ruler Saparmurat Niyazov.
Six candidates ran for the presidency, but the interim leader has always been considered the favorite in the presidential race.
Berdymukhammedov took the oath of office and officially assumed responsibilities as president of Turkmenistan for the term of five years.
According to the Turkmen Constitution, the president of the country also acts as the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces and the prime minister.
Representatives of 17 states and international organizations, including Russia's Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov and U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Richard Boucher, attended the inauguration of the new Turkmen president.
