Vice President Megawati Sukarnoputri was sworn in Monday as Indonesia's fifth president by a special session of parliament which dismissed her predecessor Abdurrahman Wahid.

After months of political deadlock, the 54-year-old daughter of Indonesia's founding father Sukarno formally took over from Wahid, a Muslim cleric whose 21-month rule was marred by charges of graft and inept rule.

After reading her oath of office, Megawati signed her appointment papers in front of national assembly chairman Amien Rais, after which the chamber erupted in applause.

(Chinadaily.com.cn 07/23/2001)