Pierre sworn in as president for 3rd term

Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza yesterday warned rebels that they would be crushed by God after being sworn in for a controversial third term following weeks of protests and a failed coup against him.

Nkurunziza thanked God for his win in elections last month -- polls the United Nations say were not free or fair -- after taking the oath of office in a surprise ceremony in the capital Bujumbura announced only hours before.

"The victory we have achieved is a victory of all Burundians, those who elected us, and those who did not," Nkurunziza said.

His third term has been condemned as unconstitutional by the opposition and provoked months of protests. There has been a string of killings since his reelection, including of his top security chief, assassinated in a rocket attack last month.

But Nkurunziza, an ex-rebel turned born-again Christian who believes he is in power by divine choice, warned those who have chosen "the path that leads nowhere, who attack and fight their country" will be stopped by the hand of God.

"They will be scattered like flour thrown into the air -- as the God of heaven is a witness, the Burundians will be at peace," he said.

No foreign head of state was present, but several African countries, as well as China and Russia, sent their ambassadors. European Union nations and the United States sent lower ranking officials.

Nkurunziza won over 69 percent of the vote in the disputed presidential poll last month, giving him a landslide first round victory.