1 January 2011Last updated at 19:28

In pictures: Brazil's new president sworn in

Dilma Rousseff is driven to Congress in Brasilia, January 1, 2011

Brazil's first woman president, Dilma Rousseff, has been sworn into office, replacing Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Her inauguration ceremony at the Brazilian Congress began with a ride through the capital, Brasilia, in a Rolls Royce.

People await the arrival of Dilma Rousseff outside Congress in Brasilia January 1, 2011.

Thousands turned out to await the arrival of Ms Rousseff outside the Brazilian Congress. Many others were out to say goodbye to President Lula, who leaves power after two terms with high popularity ratings.

People wait in the rain outside Planalto Palace, in Brasilia January 1, 2011

Outbreaks of torrential rain failed to deter the crowds. "I came to see Lula, because he governed well, and I hope she will do so too, because we need a president that wants to end the violence and the slums," one Brasilia local, Vera Pereira Silva, said.

Dilma Rousseff (C, in white dress), is protected by an umbrella upon arrival at the inauguration ceremony in Brasilia, on January 1, 2011

Ms Rousseff was appointed energy minister in President Lula's government in 2003 and served as his chief of staff from 2005 to 2010.

Dilma Rousseff greets Congress in Brasilia January 1, 2011.

After taking the oath of office, Ms Rousseff - a former Marxist rebel - promised in a speech to protect the most vulnerable in Brazilian society, and praised her predecessor.

President-elect Dilma Rousseff and foreign diplomats and heads of state in the Brazilian Congress, Brasilia, 1 January, 2011

The 63-year old was elected in October, defeating the opposition candidate Jose Serra by 56% to 44% in a run-off vote.

Dilma Rousseff receives the green-and-hold sash of the Brazilian president from Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva

She later joined Lula at the presidential palace, where he draped her in the green-and-gold Brazilian sash of office.

Latin America & Caribbean

In pictures: Brazil's new president sworn in

Share this page

Services

About BBC News