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Alexander Lukashenko, Belarusian President, Sworn In For Fourth Term (PHOTOS)

Belarus President Sworn In Among Protests And Opposition
AP/The Huffington Post
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MINSK, Belarus (AP) -- The authoritarian president of Belarus has taken the oath of office for a fourth term with a warning that no dissent will be tolerated. (Scroll down for photos)

Alexander Lukashenko was re-elected last month in a vote widely seen as fraudulent. He has since cracked down on the opposition, including jailing several of the candidates who opposed him.

He said during Friday's inauguration that Belarus "has exhausted the limits of revolutions and upheavals" and his government will "safeguard security and stability against plots from within and outside the country."

He has accused Poland and Germany of trying to stoke an uprising against him, claims both countries have rejected as absurd.

Lukashenko has never tolerated much dissent during the 16 years he has ruled the former Soviet republic.

Lukashenko's Inauguration Ceremony
(01 of03)
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Lukashenko arrives for his inauguration ceremony at the Palace of the Republic in Minsk. (credit:Getty)
(02 of03)
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Lukashenko was sworn in for a fourth term Jan. 21, facing total isolation by the West over a crackdown on the Belarus opposition after his disputed election victory. (credit:Getty)
(03 of03)
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Lukashenko and his son Nikolay 'Kolya' Lukashenko arrive to attend his swearing-in ceremony at the Palace of the Republic in Minsk. (credit:Getty)

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