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New Gambian President Barrow Says Wants UK as 'Number One' Partner

© AP Photo / RTSAdama Barrow is sworn in as President of Gambia at Gambia's embassy in Dakar Senegal in this image taken from TV Thursday, Jan 19, 2017
Adama Barrow is sworn in as President of Gambia at Gambia's embassy in Dakar Senegal in this image taken from TV Thursday, Jan 19, 2017 - Sputnik International
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The United Kingdom will remain the Gambia's most important partner in trade, democracy and other domains, new Gambian President Adama Barrow told UK Sky News broadcaster on Friday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Barrow was sworn in as the Gambia’s new president on Thursday at the country's embassy in Senegal as outgoing leader Yahya Jammeh kept refusing to step down.

"There is a strong tie with Britain and Gambia if you recall history… Any aspects that's going on in Gambia, Britain will be our number one partner in terms of trade, in terms of democracy, in terms of good governance," Barrow said.

Barrow reportedly added that the strong link had existed between the two countries since the United Kingdom colonized the Gambia and made it part of the Commonwealth of Nations.

The broadcaster also reported, citing government sources, that Jammeh asked to extend the deadline given to him to leave office until 16:00 GMT.

Gambian president-elect Adama Barrow (C), flanked by his supporters arrives at a hotel in Banjul, for a meeting with four African heads of state on December 13, 2016 - Sputnik International
Africa
Senegal's Military: Operation in Gambia Seeks to Protect Country's New President
Earlier on Friday, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said that 45,000 Gambians fled to the neighboring Senegal, fearing possible violent clashes in their own country.

Senegal army representative Col. Abdou Ndiaye told Sputnik that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) began military intervention in the Gambia on Thursday to ensure the safety of Barrow.

Jammeh rejected the results of the presidential elections held on December 1, 2016, and filed a petition to the Supreme Court, refusing to step down until the court hears his case.

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