Dmitri Medvedev: The Youngest Russian President

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Mr Dmitri Medvedev, the chosen successor of outgoing President Vladimir Putin, was officially sworn in as Russia's third President since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.

Mr Medvedev took oath of office in an elaborate and lavish ceremony in the Kremlin's golden-hued St Andrew"s Hall, bringing to an end Mr Putin's eight years as President.

After taking oath Mr Medvedev said he attached special importance to "the fundamental role of law." Earlier, before handing over power to Mr Medvedev, Mr Putin made a brief speech, describing the transfer of power as "a hugely important stage" for Russia.

He also urged Medvedev to continue the policies he had been implementing for the last eight years, saying they proved to be "the correct ones." Mr Medvedev, 42, won a landslide victory in the March two Presidential elections and the inauguration capped his sharp ascendance from obscurity.

The President is just 42 years thus is the youngest of the three presidents ruled over Russia. The previous Presidents were Boris Yeltsin and Vladimir Putin. Dimitri is also the first President of Russia not to have any link to the communist party.