Indonesia embarked on a new political era yesterday after the ousted leader, Mr Abdurrahman Wahid, finally left the presidential palace for the United States and a conservative Muslim was elected to the Vice-Presidency.
Mr Wahid vacated the palace four days after being removed from office and delivered a defiant speech to a small crowd of about 1,500 people before driving to the airport.
"I will return," he told the rally, vowing to come home to fight the hardline military figures he says conspired to force him out of power.
"When I return I will continue my struggle for democracy. Please be patient and avoid violence - it's not easy to fight for democracy."
Behind him on the stage, the banners read "Gus Dur the true democrat", and "Gus Dur the teacher of the nation", referring to Mr Wahid by his nickname.
The national assembly on Monday abruptly removed Mr Wahid from office and replaced him with Ms Megawati Sukarnoputri, accusing him of incompetence and breaching the constitution, allegations his supporters rebut.
President Bush congratulated Ms Megawati during a cordial 10-minute telephone conversation yesterday, the White House said.
One of the few people at the gathering outside the presidential palace perhaps best summarised the feelings of Mr Wahid's reformist followers. "He is still the legitimate president according to the constitution," said Mr Gunardi Pangaribuan (38) from Central Java. "But don't cry for Gus Dur, cry for Indonesia."
Earlier in the day the national assembly elected a Muslim party chief, Mr Hamzah Haz, to the Vice-Presidency ahead of the Golkar party chairman, Mr Akbar Tanjung.
Mr Haz immediately pledged to work with Ms Megawati despite playing a crucial role in denying her the presidency in 1999.
Mr Haz leads the Muslimbased United Development Party (PPP) and belongs to a coalition of Muslim parties that in 1999 backed Mr Wahid's presidential candidacy because Ms Megawati was a woman.
"It is now time for us all to continue the reconciliation of the nation," Mr Haz said in his inaugural speech.
Most parties tried to portray a united front. Even the defeated Mr Tanjung praised the new ruling team.