Dr Abela given send-off by neighbours - Mrs Abela in minor accident

George Abela was given a send-off by his neighbours as he left his home in Marsascala this morning for his inauguration and move to San Anton Palace.

But what he described as a 'five-year journey' did not start smoothly.

His wife Margaret fell and hurt her left foot last night. A doctor was called and bandaged her ankle, Dr Abela said. He added that the incident was not serious.

Mrs Abela was helped by her daughter as she walked out of her residence, and Dr Abela helped her as she walked into St John's Co-Cathedral for Mass before the swearing-in ceremony.

The Mass is being celebrated by Archbishop Paul Cremona. The Archbishop ended his homily by thanking President Eddie Fenech Adami for his service and telling Dr Abela that the Lord was trusting him to remind the people of their values and to lead by them.

He thanked the President-elect for accepting to give this period in his life for the benefit of the people.

The offerings were taken up by Dr Abela and his daughter-in-law. Dr Abela's daughter Maria, who is studying voice in Milan, sang Mozart's Ave Verum during Holy Communion.

The co-celebrants included the Bishop of Gozo, Mgr Mario Grech. Leading the congregation were President Fenech Adami, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, Chief Justice Vincent DeGaetano, the Speaker, Louis Galea and and Oppositon leader Joseph Muscat.

Dr Abela, accompanied by Speaker Louis Galea, greeted and shook hands with the people who had gathered outside the CoCathedral to congratulate him and wish him well all the way to the Palace, where he will be taking his Oath of Office at around noon in a special sitting of Parliament in the Grand Council Chamber of the President's Palace.

A fanfare will be sounded and a 21-gun salute will be fired. The new President will then deliver an address.