Ex-banker Kuczynski sworn in as Peruvian president

Lima : Former Wall Street banker Pedro Pablo Kuczynski was inaugurated as Peru's new presidentThursday, vowing to kick-start the economy and unite a country torn by a photo-finish election.

The 77-year-old center-right economist extended an olive branch to defeated rival Keiko Fujimori's party, which controls Congress, saying he would need their help to pass reforms.

He promised to work for all Peruvians, outlining his vision for a "social revolution" in his inaugural address before Congress.

"I will seek equity, equality and fraternity among all Peruvians," said the man known simply as PPK.

Peru needs "not just economic, but human growth," he said, vowing to extend basic services such as schools, hospitals and drinking water to the one-third of Peruvians who lack them.

The normally staid Kuczynski, who is known as a technocrat with a stellar resume, choked up as he took the oath of office, then donned his new red and white presidential sash over his pinstriped suit.

Peru is one of Latin America's fastest growing economies, but growth slowed under outgoing leftistpresident Ollanta Humala, from 6.5 percent in 2011 to 3.3 percent last year.

Kuczynski vowed to stimulate the economy, revive the key mining sector, fight the poverty that affects 22 percent of Peruvians, crack down on corruption, and strengthen the police and prisons to reduce crime.