Macri sworn in as Argentina's new president, calls for unity, dialogue

Argentina's new President Mauricio Macri (L) waves with his daughter Antonia (R) and his wife the First Lady Juliana Awada (C), after taking oath in his inauguration before the National Congress, from the balcony of Casa Rosada (Pink House) in Buenos Aires city, capital of Argentina, on Dec. 10, 2015. [Photo/Xinhua]

BUENOS AIRES -- Mauricio Macri was sworn in as Argentina's president Thursday, calling for national unity and dialogue "to move Argentina forward into the 21st century."

After taking the oath of office in Congress, Macri made an appeal to the legislative assembly and Argentinians in general for "dialogue, respect and working together."

Addressing concerns that his conservative government may neglect underprivileged social sectors, Macri pledged to "work tirelessly over the next four years so that all Argentinians, especially those most in need, are living better at the end of this period."

Macri won a tight presidential race in November, beating ruling party candidate Daniel Scioli by less than 3 points to succeed outgoing president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, who did not attend the ceremony.

The new president, accompanied by his wife Juliana Awada, daughter Antonia and Vice President Gabriela Michetti, was sworn in at 11:45 am local time.

During his nearly 30-minute speech, Macri acknowledged his fellow candidates in the recent elections, including Scioli and others, and said, "We are united by a democratic vocation and the dream of seeing a developed Argentina."

"We want to take confrontation out of center stage and in its place put agreement, development and growth," he added.

Macri said his government will have "zero tolerance" for corruption and will continue to support the country's "independent justice" system. In both instances, he received a standing ovation, the daily Clarin reported.