New Israeli president sworn in

The new president of Israel, Moshe Katzav, has been formally sworn-in at a ceremony in the Knesset.

The outgoing president, Ezer Weizman, said the election of Mr Katzav -- a member of the right-wing Likud party -- heralded the arrival of a new generation.

He was elected by parliament on Monday, beating the former Labour Prime Minister, Shimon Peres and delivering a political blow to the current Prime Minister, Ehud Barak.

In the past, Mr Katzav has pledged he would distance the mainly ceremonial presidential post from daily politics.

He favours keeping Jerusalem united under Israeli sovereignty -- one of the most controversial issues in Middle Eastern politics.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service