1 of 8
Supporters got up early and climbed high for a birds-eye view of Mikhail Saakashvili's inauguration.

2 of 8
Flag-waving crowds swarmed around the young leader as he arrived for the ceremony in the capital, Tbilisi.

3 of 8
Flanked by dignitaries on the steps of parliament, Mr Saakashvili laid a hand on the constitution and took his oath.

4 of 8
Soldiers took a quick cigarette break before their official parade past their new commander-in-chief.

5 of 8
President Saakashvili, 36, then saluted Georgia's armed forces in one of his first acts as Europe's youngest head of state.

6 of 8
His busy first day in the job also included talks with US Secretary of State Colin Powell.

7 of 8
On the eve of inauguration, Mr Saakashvili was blessed by Ilya II, head of Georgia's Orthodox Church, at King David's tomb.

8 of 8
He then walked outside, clutching the roses which became the symbol of the revolution which heralded his rise to power.