Liberia’s new President Joseph Boakai passed out while delivering his inauguration speech at a ceremony in the capital, Monrovia.

Boakai, who was sworn in as Liberia’s oldest president, was surrounded by his aides and escorted from the ceremony at the Capitol Building, which is the seat of the legislature.

The event was then adjourned prematurely.

There had been rumours about the 79-year-old leader’s poor health. 

He took over from George Weah, the former professional footballer turned politician.