Medvedev sworn in as Russia's president, but will he rule-

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But he must also grapple with double-digit inflation, tight credit markets overseas and the possibility that the price of natural resources will not grow as fast as they did under Putin.

Medvedev promised in his speech to modernize industry and agriculture, encourage the development of new technologies and attract investment. He also pledged to keep Russia open to the rest of the world and to participate in "constructive and equal dialogue" with other nations.

Putin, 55, endorsed Medvedev as his successor in December, rallying the Kremlin and the United Russia party behind his candidate. Medvedev was elected March 2 with just over 70 percent of the votes.

Medvedev's victory was aided by Russia's major TV networks, which are all formally or informally controlled by the state and lavished coverage on Medvedev while paying little attention to his challengers.

Many voters said they were pressured by employers and government officials to support the Kremlin favorite, and there were allegations of ballot stuffing and other irregularities. The leader of the main European election monitoring mission said the vote was neither free nor fair.

Despite Medvedev's vows to protect democracy, anti-government demonstrations were prohibited, broken up or harassed by police both before and after his election. Police detained dozens of anti-Kremlin protesters Tuesday as they tried to stage a rally.

State-owned Channel One television provided elaborate coverage of Wednesday's event, broadcasting sweeping aerial shots of the Kremlin's crenelated walls, its cluster of gilded onion domes and the cloistered courtyards where ranks of blue-uniformed soldiers waited for the arrival of Medvedev.

Television viewers watched the progress of the black Mercedes Pullman limousine carrying Medvedev through the deserted streets of the city center evidence of the high level of security for the inauguration.

The president-elect was driven along the banks of the Moscow River, up into Red Square and through the Kremlin's Spassky Gate, with its famous clock tower facing St. Basil's Cathedral.

Later, the crowded czarist-era Andreyevsky Hall, with its huge doors and intricate chandeliers, shimmered with gold leaf and bright television lights as Medvedev was sworn in

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