Joyce Banda sworn in as Malawi president

Lilongwe, April 8 (IANS) Malawi Vice President Joyce Banda has been sworn in as the country's president following the death of president Mutharika Thursday due to a cardiac arrest.

In her acceptance speech Saturday, Banda called for unity and thanked Malawians for being calm during the transitional period, reported Xinhua.

"I want all of us to into the future with hope and with the spirit of oneness and unity. I just sincerely hope there will be no time for revenge, and I just hope that as a God fearing nation we should allow God to move with us because if we don't move with God then we have failed," said Banda.

Banda has become the first female leader of the country.