Bolivia's acting President Eduardo Rodriguez was sworn in on Thursday, repeating his call for the resignation of lawmakers, said reports from La Paz, the administrative capital of Bolivia.

The inauguration ceremony was held in the parliament with the participation of major officials of the country.

Rodriguez said he heads a transitional government and asked the legislators to resign to avoid more protests and allow a total renewal of parliament in the coming elections.

If the lawmakers do not give up their posts, he will call the anticipated elections for president and vice president.

Rodriguez, who was appointed head of state last Thursday following the resignation of President Carlos Mesa in early June, is expected to call elections to choose a new president and renew the parliament within six months, as stipulated by the constitution.

Mesa resigned amid violent protests demanding a new constitution, the nationalization of the oil and gas industry, and the resignation of all legislators.

The demonstrators gave a truce to the acting president, but warned protests and roadblocks would be resumed if their demands were not met.

Rodriguez, former head of the Supreme Court and third in line to become president, took over the presidency after heads of both houses of the parliament gave up their constitutional rights to succeed.

(Xinhua News Agency June 17, 2005)