The main opposition leader in the African state of Togo has called for a peaceful revolution after the controversial swearing in of Mr Faure Gnassingbe as the country's president today.
Mr Gnassingbe, the son of Togo's deceased president, was formally sworn in amid growing condemnation from African leaders who have denounced the swift succession as unconstitutional.
The new president was appointed by the West African nation's army on Saturday - hours after his father's death. Mr Gnassingbe Eyadema was Africa's longest-serving leader having ruled for 38 years.
The constitution was changed to allow Mr Gnassingbe take office. Prior to the change, the head of the national assembly was the president's legal successor in case of death.
The country's exiled opposition leader, Mr Gilchrist Olympio responded to the appointment today by calling for "revolution of the carnations like in Portugal" - when a group of left-wing army officers in 1974 overthrew the fascist dictatorship begun by Dr Antonio de Oliveira Salazar in an almost bloodless coup.
"It won't be accepted inside the country and it won't be accepted outside the country. So this state of affairs won't last long," Mr Olympio said.
"It is a contradiction of our constitution and local laws. . . . We need to have these free and fair elections as soon as possible," he continued.
The Togoan government has been criticised by international organisations for human rights abuses and undemocratic policies.