Ecuadoran Vice President Alfredo Palacio is sworn in as president after Congress voted to fire President Lucio Gutierrez, in Quito, April 20, 2005. (Xinhua/AFP Photo)

  ¡¡QUITO, April 20 (Xinhuanet) -- Alfredo Palacio, until Wednesday the vice president of Ecuador, was sworn in as the new President, before a majority of legislators who the same day sacked Lucio Gutierrez from Office.

    Lower House Representative Cyntia Viteri, as acting president of the congress, was in charge of taking oath to Palacio.

    In his first remarks, Palacio said that "the people of Ecuador,in particular of Quito, ended Wednesday the dictatorship, immorality, arrogance, terror and fear."

    According to him, "the people have decided today to rebuild the Republic, a Republic of hope, on whose streets, green fields and roads bloom and prevail dignity, hope, equity and happiness."

    "As of today we will establish a republic opening the white schools, the clean hospitals, the factories and the companies that have gone bankrupt," he said.

    He also said the entire country "will not accept dictatorship" and assured "we will re-found the Republic with a government that will be of the people."

    Palacio took office after a week of citizen demonstrations on the streets to demand the resignation of Lucio Gutierrez, which have left at least two dead.

    Thousands of demonstrators headed at once afterwards to the Independence Square, outside Carondolet Palace, the seat of the Executive branch, to celebrate the fall of Gutierrez.

    Gutierrez already abandoned the seat of Government, cordoned off by the military, who where cheered up by demonstrators carrying flags. Enditem