Obama takes oath of office for second term in quiet ceremony

WASHINGTON - A greyer and more solemn-looking US President Barack Obama officially began his second term on Sunday, following a private oath-taking ceremony at the White House. 

The quiet ceremony, administered by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, marked a sharp contrast with the electrifying atmosphere in Washington four years ago when Mr Obama became the first African-American to be sworn-in as the commander-in-chief of the United States.

Hours earlier, Vice-President Joe Biden was sworn in by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the first Hispanic to sit on the country's highest court. Mr Obama and Mr Biden won re-election convincingly in November against their Republican rivals. 

“I did it,” Mr Obama told his younger daughter, Sasha, after a smooth recital of the oath of office. Chief Justice Roberts and Mr Obama fumbled the oath four years ago during the first inauguration, prompting a do-over the next day.