Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was sworn into office for a third five- year presidential term on Saturday in a ceremony held at Ankara's parliament.

“As president, I swear to defend the existence and independence of the state, the indivisible integrity of the homeland, the unconditional sovereignty of the nation,” a fragment from the text of the oath is quoted by the press service of the Turkish leader.

Delegates from 70 countries, of which more than 30 are heads of state or government, are in Ankara to attend Erdogan's inauguration ceremony. Among the guests are President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov, as well as the presidents of Azerbaijan, Venezuela, Bulgaria, South Africa, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and others.

Among the heads of government are the prime ministers of Hungary, Armenia, Libya, Pakistan and others. Russia and China are also represented at a high level.

After the investiture, Erdogan, whose prerogatives include leading the government, will present a new cabinet of ministers in the evening.

President Erdogan will host a dinner in honor of his foreign guests at the Çankaya mansion.

ORIENT news