Obama vows to meet challenges

From BBC NEWS...

US President Barack Obama has used his inaugural address to pledge a "new era of responsibility" in a time of crisis at home and abroad.

Mr Obama spoke after taking the oath of office as America's 44th president - and its first African-American leader.

More than one million people gathered in the National Mall in a wintry Washington DC, to see Mr Obama take the oath shortly after 1200 (1700 GMT).

He later joined a parade, smiling and waving en route to the White House.

Mr Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama travelled in the armoured presidential limousine as the motorcade travelled at walking-pace towards 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

Crowds cheered and waved as the cars rolled slowly past.

Then the motorcade stopped and the couple stepped out of the car and walked, waving to the hundreds of wellwishers lining the route - many of whom had waited 10 hours in the cold.

After climbing back inside the limousine - so heavily armoured it is known as The Beast - the president and first lady emerged once again amid loud cheers and screams from the crowd.

The BBC's Gavin Hewitt, in the crowd on the parade route, said the happy and smiling Mr and Mrs Obama finally seemed able to celebrate their achievement.

Many thousands of people who braved the cold to stand for hours in the streets to catch a glimpse of Mr Obama will be able to go home happy, our correspondent says.

After reviewing the inaugural parade as it marches past the White House, the couple were due to attend a series of balls.

Meanwhile, Senator Ted Kennedy, whose collapse during an inaugural lunch at Congress threatened to mar the celebrations, is said to be feeling well again after suffering "simple fatigue".

New team

Barack Hussein Obama became America's newest president at a ceremony on the steps of the Capitol building where, his hand on a Bible, he repeated the traditional oath of office, promising to "preserve, protect and defend" the United States.

In his speech, he acknowledged that he faced many serious challenges but pledged to begin the work of "rebuilding America".

President Obama. I can't believe I'm writing that. I'm glad that I'm able to.
I voted for Obama because he was the best choice we had. I don't expect him to wave a magic wand and fix the world's problems, but he'll be treated as if he could. I only hope...and expect...that President Obama will do more for the world during his term than his predecessor did during his.