Dhaka, Aug. 21 -- Veteran politician Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was sworn in as the 23rd President of Bangladesh on Friday evening.

The oath-taking ceremony was held at the Darbar Hall of Bangabhaban at 7:30pm.

Acting Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal administered the oath of the office to the President at 7:37pm.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, cabinet members, and hundreds of distinguished guests attended the event conducted by Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Gani.

The ceremony began with the national anthem, followed by recitation from the Holy Quran.

BNP candidate Mirza Fakhrul was elected the President defeating his lone rival Col (retd) Oli Ahmad, the candidate of the 11-party opposition alliance led by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, in th...