Cote d'Ivoire's incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo has been sworn in as president amid defiance from his rival, former prime minister Alassane Ouattara.

The former prime minister's victory is supported by the electoral commission but was rejected by the Constitutional Council.

The President of the Constitutional Council announced at the swearing -in ceremony that Gbagbo won the presidential run-off with 51.45 percent of the vote.

Hours later, opposition candidate Alassane Ouattara announced that he too had taken his own oath.

Saturday's developments leave Cote d'Ivoire with two men who both claim to be the president, furthering inflaming political crisis in the country.