CASTRIES, St Lucia (CMC):

Sir John Compton, 82, was sworn in as Prime Minister of this Caribbean Community country yesterday, four days after leading his United Workers Party (UWP) to victory, in general elections, in St. Lucia.

The UWP defeated the incumbent St. Lucia Labour Party (SLP) of former prime minister Dr. Kenny Anthony by an 11:6 margin. The SLP had been seeking an unprecedented third straight term in office.

Sir John, who is expected to name his Cabinet on Monday, took the oath of office before Governor General Dame Pearlette Louisy at Government House on the Morne, overlooking the capital, Castries.

Sir John served as Chief Minister from 1964-1967, Premier from 1967-1979 and Prime Minister in 1979 and again from 1982-1996 when he resigned and handed over the reins of government to Vaughan Lewis, one of the losing SLP candidates in Monday's election.

He later returned to active politics and reclaimed his position at the helm at the party "at the behest of the people" following the resounding defeat of the UWP in the general elections of 1997 and 2001.

"Age is not a factor here, I am not here running for the Olympics. Age is really in the state of mind, I am giving my experience and my intelligence that God gave to me. I am not going for a marathon, I am not going for the Olympics," Sir John told the Caribbean Media Corporation shortly after his victory, on Monday night.