South Sudan has proclaimed its independence as the world's newest nation state, turning the page on five decades of conflict with the north.
At a ceremony in the capital, Juba, attended by a host of international dignitaries, the speaker of parliament, James Wani Igga, read out the declaration of the south's secession from the north following an almost unanimous vote for separation in a January referendum.
'We, the democratically elected representatives of the people, based on the will of the people of South Sudan, and as confirmed by the outcome of the referendum of self-determination, hereby declare South Sudan to be an independent and sovereign nation,' Mr Igga told cheering crowds.
South Sudan's national flag was then raised, to wild applause, tears and song.
'We shall never, never surrender,' the crowd chanted, as people whistled and wiped tears from their eyes.
'I should cry for the recognition of this flag among the flags of the world,' shouted one tearful man.
The declaration of independence affirmed the new state's democratic and multi-ethnic and multi-confessional character, and its commitment to friendly relations with all countries 'including the Republic of Sudan,' Mr Igga said.
Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir was guest of honour at the ceremony, and watched a parade by thousands of members of the former rebel army that he failed to defeat in 16 years command of the northern forces.
From early morning, revellers gathered at the venue, singing songs and carrying flags, amid tight security for the ceremony, which was attended by scores of African leaders and senior Western officials.
It was the largest international gathering ever seen in Juba, a war-damaged former garrison town on the White Nile that lacks even basic infrastructure.
South Sudan's independence came exactly six months after southerners voted almost unanimously to split with their former civil war enemies in the north.
For decades, until a peace agreement was signed in 2005, southern rebels fought successive wars with the north, leaving the region in ruins, millions of people dead and a legacy of mutual mistrust.
The independence ceremony was held at the mausoleum of the late rebel leader John Garang, who died just months after signing the peace accord that ended Africa's longest-running conflict and opened the door to nationhood.
