Dhaka, Feb. 17 -- Zia-family heir Tarique Rahman, who led his party to a sweeping electoral victory, becomes prime minister of Bangladesh to usher in what supporters describe as a new political era.

The swearing-in ceremony of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chair and his cabinet members was held Tuesday at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban under a clear spring sky -- first such investiture in Bangladesh's history, in a break with longstanding tradition of oath-taking at the Bangabhaban presidential palace.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin administered the oath at the open-air ceremony largely attended by foreign dignitaries.

After Rahman was sworn in, 49 members of the new cabinet took their oath of office and secrecy ...