Southern Sudanese leader Salva Kiir was sworn in as first vice president of Sudan on Thursday, following the death of his predecessor John Garang in a helicopter crash last week, Reuters reported. "I pledge my allegiance to the government of Sudan. I shall obey, observe and defend the constitution and abide by the laws of the country," Kiir said during the ceremony. Kiir placed his hand on the constitution as he made his pledge, standing by President Omar al-Bashir and Second Vice President Ali Osman Mohamed Taha.