Georgia's first female president sworn in amid protests

The first woman president of Georgia has been sworn into office amid continued protests from opposition figures who allege her election was tainted.

During her inauguration speech, Salome Zurabishvili said she would be the president of "all citizens of Georgia", vowing to defend the country's independence and territorial integrity.

Georgia’s newly elected first female president Salome Zurabishvili who was elected in a second round of voting in November 28, arrives to taking her oath during the oath-taking ceremony held at the Palace of King Erekle II in Telavi, Georgia on December 16, 2018. [Photo: IC]

She lamented what she called an "occupation line" with the separatist regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia of which Georgia lost control entirely after a war with Russia in 2008.

Russia has strengthened its military presence in both regions and recognized them as independent states, but only a few countries have followed suit.

As Zurabishvili was sworn in, opposition activists clashed with police after authorities blocked access to the inauguration's venue in the city of Telavi.

The opposition alleges gross electoral violations occurred during the presidential election that made the outcome illegitimate.

Observers for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe have said the government was overly involved in the election campaign.