Opposition parties have cried foul, alleging widespread electoral irregularities and fraud. They have already taken their complaints to court in an attempt to have Mr Mwanawasa's inauguration delayed.

Their case was dismissed but they have vowed to fight on with all means at their disposal.

"We will never recognise Mwanawasa's illegitimate election and will pursue a multi-pronged legal campaign to have his victory nullified," said Anderson Mazoka, the presidential runner-up. "It will be a collective action by the opposition, although some cases will be fought on an individual basis."

Divided they fall

The opposition has not yet released much hard evidence to back up their claims. They stress that they will produce it later when they return to the Supreme Court to challenge the results.

According to the constitution, they must file their petitions within two weeks of the inauguration making it a difficult first fortnight in office for President Mwanawasa.

Levy Mwanawasa

Ex-president Chiluba's choice to succeed him Vice president 91-94 Christian and a trained lawyer 53 year old with five children Poor health since bad road accident 10 years ago

The ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy is adamant that no rigging took place.

It is true that the opposition shot itself in the foot by splitting the vote between 10 candidates.

But despite this, serious questions have been raised about the credibility of the election results. Even if the opposition's legal efforts fail, many people will never view Mr Mwanawasa as the legitimate president.

Unfounded fears

Meanwhile, opposition supporters have added their voices to the campaign and vowed to take their protests onto the streets.

Mazoka will appeal to the courts

"We have nothing to eat and no jobs to do," said unemployed Lusaka-resident, Patrick Chisenga. "We all voted for change but they cheated us and now we have the same people in charge. We will not allow this rigging to succeed. We will fight until Mwanawasa and the MMD go."

Already the police have clashed with demonstrators in Lusaka and in towns on the Copperbelt.

And it is likely that more demonstrations will be mounted. The opposition has called for peaceful protests but anger and frustration could see the situation boil over.

University closed

The police have already shown that they are willing to resort to tear-gas when confronted by stone-throwing crowds. And Mr Mwanawasa, himself, has made it perfectly clear that the full force of the law will be used against anyone who indulges in violence.

In an attempt to forestall trouble, the authorities have extended the Christmas recess at the University of Lusaka indefinitely.

Levy Mwanawasa is a president of Frederick Chiluba, by Chiluba, for Chiluba

The Post

A circular was issued while Mr Mwanawasa was being sworn in, stating that the university would remain closed until further notice because 'the environment as of now at the campus is not conducive to academic learning'.

Puppet master

Meanwhile, Mr Mwanawasa faces the tricky task of governing not only with opposition protests ringing in his ears but also with a far from convincing mandate.

We strongly recommend that a presidential candidate should have to secure at least 51% of the vote

Dr Alfred Chanda Foundation for Democratic Process.

He was elected on under 29% of the vote and will, if anything, have only a slim majority in parliament.

"We strongly recommend that a presidential candidate should have to secure at least 51% of the vote as happened here from 1964 until 1996," said Dr Alfred Chanda, president of the Foundation for Democratic Process.

"A situation where a president is elected by around 30% does not give credibility to the office of the republican presidency."

Mr Tembo says the fight will continue

Mr Mwanawasa also has to counter allegations that he is merely the puppet of his predecessor, Frederick Chiluba.

During his final speech at the inauguration ceremony, Mr Chiluba stressed that he would not be pulling any strings behind the scenes and that Mr Mwanawasa would be very much "his own man".

Mr Chiluba even announced that he was considering stepping down from his post as president of the ruling MMD.

However, many people believe that he will be the power behind the throne and that Mr Mwanawasa's victory represents a de facto third term for Mr Chiluba.

"Levy Mwanawasa is a president of Frederick Chiluba, by Chiluba, for Chiluba," claimed an editorial in the private and fiercely anti-government newspaper, The Post.

Weak mandate

All of this will make it more difficult for Mr Mwanawasa to govern.

So will the fact that many of the ruling party's most able and experienced politicians have joined the opposition over the past year.

With his legitimacy questioned and an inexperienced cabinet, Mr Mwanawasa will have to try and carry out his campaign promises to revamp agriculture, boost employment and reduce poverty.

Zambia's economic and social problems are enormous.

Some statistics say that around 80% of the population now live below the poverty line.

To combat this, Zambia needs a president with a powerful popular mandate, which is exactly what Levy Mwanawasa does not have.