France, Nov. 27 -- "I have just been sworn in to lead the High Command," General Horta Nta Na Man declared, after taking the oath of office in a low-key ceremony at the military's headquarters in the capital Bissau on Thursday.

The three branches of the armed forces - the army, air force and navy - formally proclaimed Nta's "official installation" for a political transition expected to last 12 months.

Nta served as the army's chief of staff and is considered a close ally of the outgoing president Umaro Cissoko Embolo, who was deposed on Wednesday.

In his 10-minute address, the general justified the takeover, adding that "necessary measures are urgent and important and require collective effort".

He said the army had assumed its respon...