The military service heads are now saluting their new commander-in-chief and shaking his hand.

It was the military that played a key part in the last 10 days that led to the resignation of Emmerson Mnangagwa's predecessor Robert Mugabe.

Mr Mnangagwa said that he was in constant touch with the commanders during his exile after his sacking as Mr Mugabe's deputy.

He said there were plans to eliminate him which is why he left the country - returning on Wednesday after Mr Mugabe's resignation.

Image source, Reuters

BBC Monitoring
The world through its media

Pictures today from Kenya's Daily Nation (top left), South Africa's Mail and Guardian (top right) and Kenya's The Standard (bottom):

Image source, BBC Monitoring

There is mass cheering from the crowds as the chief justice puts the green sash and chain of office on Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Watch the president taking his oath:

Emmerson Mnangagwa takes his oath of office:

Image source, Reuters

Chief Justice Luke Malaba is now to administer the oath of office.

Image source, Reuters

Emmerson Mnangagwa stood up to meet him to cheers from the crowd.

Here are some of the most stunning stills coming in from the inauguration of Mr Mnangagwa as Zimbabwe's president:

Image source, Roderick MaCleod

The stadium in the capital Harare can seat 60,000 people:

Image source, Roderick MaCleod

One fashionista pays tribute to the nickname of Zimbabwe's incoming leader Mr Mnangagwa - "The crocodile":

Image source, Roderick MaCleod

A member of the Christian Church Jowani Masowe Vadzidzi Vajesu got to the stadium early:

Image source, AFP

Religion Minister Bishop Mutendi tells Zimbabwe's incoming president Emmerson Mnangagwa that it was not only Zanu-PF supporters who were out on the streets to welcome him home on Wednesday.

They came from all parties, all ethnic groups, all regions, he said.

Parliamentary speaker Jacob Mudenda has now taken over the microphone to begin official proceedings.

Silence is called for an opening prayer. Minister of Religion Bishop Mutendi says:

Addressing Emmerson Mnangagwa, the bishop says the new president will save Zimbabwe be judge by what he does to his predecessors.

Image source, Reuters

According to a Zimbabwean editor, the person state television focused on dancing in the crowd to Jay Prayzah's hit song Kutonga Kwaro (see earlier post: 'Sound of the revolution') was the wife of the army chief Gen Constantino Chewenga, the man behind the military's takeover:

A BBC reporter is up close at the performance by Jah Prayzah.

The singer has the military's blessing to wear army fatigues - and our correspondent says he is seen as the musician who inspired this historic change in Zimbabwe:

Botswana's leader Ian Khama, who has been a harsh critic of former President Robert Mugabe, has arrived.

He is pictured in the centre of this image:

Image source, Reuters

On Wednesday he told the BBC he had no sympathy for Mr Mugabe following his resignation after 37 years in power - and has said presidents shouldn't see themselves as monarchs.

Botwana, like other nations in southern Africa, hosts thousands of Zimbabweans who have fled their home for jobs and a better life.

Foreign dignitaries have started arriving at the inauguration of Mr Mnangagwa as Jay Prayzah continues to perform on stage.

Zambian President Edgar Lungu, pictured with his fist raised, has just entered the stadium to cheers from the crowd.

Image source, Reuters

Image source, ZBC

Award-winning Zimbabwean musician Jah Prayzah, who performs in army fatigues, is singing his hit Kutonga Kwaro, which means "to rule properly" to wild cheers from the crowd.

His music has become the soundtrack to Robert Mugabe's downfall.

On Sunday politicians sang along to the track after Mr Mugabe was sacked as Zanu-PF party leader.

People are dancing in the crowd.

Image source, ZBC

Image source, AFP

The master of ceremonies at the inauguration is referring to Emmerson Mnangagwa as Zimbabwe's president-elect.

He was nominated by the ruling Zanu-PF party's central committee on Sunday should the post of state presidency become vacant.

But he comes into office after a chaotic 10 days which saw an army takeover, mass demonstrations and the resignation of long-time ruler Robert Mugabe.

According to the news site @263Chat, opposition leaders Morgan Tsvangirai and Joice Mujuru are among the dignitaries who have arrived to see Emmerson Mnangagwa being sworn-in as Zimbabwe's new president.

It must poignant for them both - as they both have had their sights on the presidency.

Mr Tsvangirai beat Robert Mugabe in the first round of a presidential election in 2008, but withdrew after a campaign of violence by the ruling Zanu-PF party.

Mrs Mujuru was once Mr Mugabe's deputy, but was expelled from the party in a purge orchestrated by former First Lady Grace Mugabe.

Emmerson Mnangagwa, Zimbabwe's new president, has arrived at the stadium to huge cheers.

Image source, Reuters

Image source, Getty Images

Incoming Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa spoke to Robert Mugabe and promised him and his family "maximum security", reports Zimbabwe's state-run Herald newspaper, external.

It quotes the former president's spokesman George Charamba as saying that the two had agreed that Mr Mugabe "needed time to rest" given the "hectic events of the past week-and-a- half" so would not attend the inauguration.

"Hectic events" is one way of describing the situation, in which the army took control and Mr Mugabe resigned after 37 years in power.

Zimbabwe's state broadcaster says the heads of the security services have arrived at the stadium in the capital, Harare, for the ceremony.

Among them is Gen Constantino Chiwenga, the military chief behind the takeover, photographed here at the stadium:

Image source, Reuters

Read more: The army chief who took power from Mugabe

Andrew Harding
BBC News, Harare

Image source, Reuters

As well as marching bands there will be foreign dignitaries and an atmosphere of genuine celebration at the National Sports Stadium here in Harare.

But there will, it seems certain, be no Robert Mugabe.

The official explanation is that the 93-year-old needs to rest.

His absence is a stark reminder that this is no ordinary transition. That – despite his official resignation - he was forced out by the military.

President-to-be Emmerson Mnangagwa has called for reconciliation, and is seen by many Zimbabweans as a tough pragmatist who should be given a chance to pull the country out of its current economic crisis.

The governing Zanu-PF remains in control - emerging triumphant from 10 days of chaos.

But today many here will also know that, had the party not rigged elections and terrorised his own population, it would have lost power many years ago.

Zimbabwe's incoming leader Emmerson Mnangagwa is known as "the crocodile" because of his political shrewdness.

It is a motif that has caught the fancy of the editor of Zimbabwe's state-run Herald paper, who has tweeted a photo of his footwear of choice for the swearing-in ceremony:

Read more The 'crocodile' who snapped back