11:36 | Lima, Jul. 28 (ANDINA).
Peru’s new President Ollanta Humala Tasso began his address to the nation by pledging to dedicate all his efforts to end exclusion and poverty in the country.
"Before the Congress, [visiting] presidents and the Peruvian people, I promise that I will devote my energy to lay the foundation to erase the searing face of exclusion and poverty from our history, while building a country for everybody," said President Humala.
"We want the term 'social exclusion' to disappear from our language and lives forever," Humala said in his first speech after being sworn in as the leader of Peru. "Economic growth and social inclusion will march together."
During the ceremony, which is attended by several foreign heads of state, the new Peruvian president guaranteed that Peru will be a place in which everyone will have the right to a dignified life and a protected seniority.
President Humala noted that his efforts will also be devoted to helping “the most vulnerable of our brothers” and that he will demand the same commitment and energy from his entire team.
Ollanta Humala was sworn in Thursday as the new president of Peru, succeeding outgoing President Alan Garcia.
After addressing the Congress, Humala is scheduled to host an Extraordinary Meeting of Heads of State and Government of the Union of South American Nations (Unasur) at the Government Palace in Lima.
(END) GCO/LGV/EEP
Published: 7/28/2011