<p>Conde, 72-year-old veteran opposition leader, won 52.5 percent of a November vote yesterday against rival Cellou Dalein Diallo to become the first democratically elected president in the country since its independence from France in 1958.<br /><br />At least 13 African heads of state attended the swearing-in ceremony at the People's Palace, headquarters of the National Assembly which was dissolved after a 2008 coup, including the leaders of South Africa, Guinea-Bissau, Senegal, Liberia and Mali.<br />Guinea's former interim leader Sekouba Konate, who took power following the coup, stepped down last week and urged the army to back Conde and remain apolitical.<br />Konate described the inauguration as "Guinea's act of rebirth" and called for "an end to impunity" in the country.<br /><br />The November vote won widespread international praise despite post-election violence that left at least seven people dead and hundreds injured as security forces cracked down on protests.<br /><br />Guinea, which remains desperately poor despite mineral riches which include massive bauxite reserves, had been in political crisis since the coup, which followed the death of longtime military ruler Lansana Conte.</p>
<p>Conde, 72-year-old veteran opposition leader, won 52.5 percent of a November vote yesterday against rival Cellou Dalein Diallo to become the first democratically elected president in the country since its independence from France in 1958.<br /><br />At least 13 African heads of state attended the swearing-in ceremony at the People's Palace, headquarters of the National Assembly which was dissolved after a 2008 coup, including the leaders of South Africa, Guinea-Bissau, Senegal, Liberia and Mali.<br />Guinea's former interim leader Sekouba Konate, who took power following the coup, stepped down last week and urged the army to back Conde and remain apolitical.<br />Konate described the inauguration as "Guinea's act of rebirth" and called for "an end to impunity" in the country.<br /><br />The November vote won widespread international praise despite post-election violence that left at least seven people dead and hundreds injured as security forces cracked down on protests.<br /><br />Guinea, which remains desperately poor despite mineral riches which include massive bauxite reserves, had been in political crisis since the coup, which followed the death of longtime military ruler Lansana Conte.</p>