At least 26 people died in Yemen on Saturday in a car bomb attack allegedly carried out by al Qaeda militants. Most of the victims were members of the Yemeni army, the Republican Guard. A security official on condition of anonymity told the press the blast had been a suicide attack.

The explosion took place in the city of Mukalla just hours after the country's new president, Abed Rabo Mansour Hadi, was sworn in to replace long-time leader Ali Abdullah Saleh.

New president sworn in

After taking the oath before the parliament in Sanaa on Saturday, Hadi vowed to stabilize the economy and restore security in the country, which is entrenched in violence between renegade military units, separatists, tribal movements and other factions.

“I swear by the Almighty God to uphold the republican system, respect and preserve the constitution and the unity and independence of Yemen,” Hadi said.

Much of the fighting is carried out by al Qaeda-linked militants, which the president promised to fight.

"It is a patriotic and religious duty to continue the battle against al Qaeda," he said. "If we don't restore security, the only outcome will be chaos."

He attempted to give hope to the thousands of people who are internally displaced due to the bloodshed by saying he wanted to “bring back displaced people to their villages and towns.”

No competition

The election was held on Tuesday, with around 60 percent of Yeminis turning up to polls to cast their votes. Several attacks were carried out on the polling stations.

Hadi was the only candidate to run in the presidential election, and won, with over 99 percent of votes.

His inauguration ceremony was attended by US and EU ambassadors as well as several Arab envoys. On Monday, the former leader Saleh is to formally hand over power to Hadi in a ceremony at the presidential palace in Sanaa.

Saleh to stay at helm of party

After months of pressure, Saleh, who had been in power since 1978, agreed to step down in November in a US- and Gulf-backed power transfer deal, which included Tuesday's presidential election.

The former leader returned from the US, where he was receiving medical treatment, to attend the inauguration and to foster support for the new president among Yemenis.

Hadi is to serve as president for an interim period of two years, after which there is to be a contested presidential election and parliamentary polls.

During the two years, Saleh will remain the head of his General People's Congress party, stoking suspicion within the protest movement that he has not really given up his power.

sb/pfd (AP, AFP, Reuters, dpa)