Former Marxist military ruler Denis Sassou Nguesso (C) leaves the parliament after being sworn in as the new president of the Republic of Congo, October 25. Nguesso, a victor in the Republic of Congo's brief but brutal civil war, concecrated his return to power by taking over as President.[ Nguesso, who was President for 12 years before his predessesor, Pascal Lissouba, defeated Lissouba's army in five months of war that left thousands of people dead].