Bangladesh, Nov. 20 -- Azerbaijan's president declared Friday that his forces have taken control of the Aghdam region, a territory ceded by Armenia in a cease-fire agreement that ended the fighting over Nagorno-Karabakh.

The truce, brokered by Russia last week, stipulated that Armenia hand over control of some areas its holds outside Nagorno-Karabakh's borders to Azerbaijan. Aghdam is the first one to be turned over.

"Today, with a feeling of endless pride, I am informing my people about the liberation of Aghdam," Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said in an address to the nation. "Aghdam is ours!"

Crowds of people carrying national flags gathered in the Azerbaijani capital, Baku, to celebrate the handover of the Aghdam region.

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