Hundreds of people attended an event at the Independence Palace in Minsk, reports the country's strictly controlled news agency Belta.

After weeks of protests and after large parts of the outside world rejected the latest election, the ceremony takes place without prior notice.

Large parts of central Minsk have been cordoned off and no people are being released near the palace area, reports the independent news site Tut.by.

Prior to the ceremony, a number of buses with covered windows are said to have arrived at the palace.

Lukashenko himself arrived in a procession with heavy police surveillance.

"Where are the citizens?"

What is happening is unparalleled, according to Pavel Latushko, who sits on the transitional council that was formed to bring about a change of power by peaceful means.

- The outgoing president, who claims to have received over 80 percent of the vote, has carried out a special effort to swear allegiance.

With the protection of the Omons (special task force), in secret and in front of a small circle of hastily summoned officials.

Where are the celebrating citizens?

Where are the diplomats?

- Today he is no longer president of Belarus.

He is only the leader of Omon, which has a handful of people in service without uniforms and insignia on the streets of Belarus, says Pavel Latushko to Tut.by.

Strikes down protests

Dictator Lukashenko was declared the winner of the election based on a highly questionable election result and huge protests have shaken Belarus in recent weeks.

The state and security apparatus has responded by arresting thousands of people and a large number of opposition leaders are still being held captive.

Several have been driven into exile by the security service.

There are many reports and testimonies of torture and abuse against protesters, and during the demonstrations, crowds of people are taken away by masked men, after which they are driven away in anonymous cars.

Alexander Lukashenko was elected President of Belarus in 1994 and has over the years strengthened his grip on power.

This is the sixth time he has taken the oath of office.