Medvedev becomes Russia's next president

After winning the expected large majority in Sunday's presidential election in Russia, Dmitry Medvedev has vowed to work in an "effective tandem" with his predecessor, Vladimir Putin, who is now to become prime minister.

With 98 percent of votes counted, Mr Medvedev won 70.1 percent of the vote - a result close to what Mr Putin achieved in 2004 (71.3 percent). Nearly 68 percent of the country's 109 million registered voters came to cast their ballot.

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