Liberia’s new President Joseph Boakai has recovered from a heat-related faint that forced him to cut short his inaugural address before being removed from the podium, his party spokesman said.

The 79-year-old, who defeated George Weah in a runoff election in November, was sworn in during an outdoor ceremony in sweltering heat in the West African country’s capital Monrovia.

Boakai then paused during his speech and his aides rushed to fan him.

He resumed the ceremony a few minutes later, but stopped again and was helped off the podium by his assistants, cutting the ceremony short.

Some of Boakai’s opponents have raised concerns about his age and energy during the election campaign, but his team has rejected the criticism.

Although the inauguration ceremony ended abruptly, Boakai had already taken the oath of office when he was helped to leave.

Officials did proceed with the planned lunch, but Boakai’s whereabouts were not immediately clear. (Reuters).