TBILISI -- Mikheil Kavelashvili was sworn in as Georgia's sixth president in a ceremony held at the Parliament building on Sunday, Interpressnews reported.

Among the people attending the inauguration were key members of the government and Kavelashvili's family, the news agency reported.

In his inaugural address, Kavelashvili highlighted the resilience of the Georgian nation, saying, "Our people created the country, and most importantly, the eternal idea called the homeland -- it is this idea that the Georgian nation constantly protects and defends."

He stressed the need for unity and the values rooted in family and tradition, which he said are vital to national strength.

"Centuries of struggle have forged the character of our people. Unity, mutual respect, and love for the homeland define us as a nation," Kavelashvili said.

Kavelashvili, 53, was elected on Dec 14 by the Presidential Electoral College for a five-year term. In October, he was elected as a Member of the Parliament for the third time.