U.S. President George W. Bush takes the oath for his second term in office at inaugural ceremonies in Washington DC on January 20, 2005. Bush's daughters Jenna (L), Barbara (C) and first lady Laura Bush watch. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

President Bush has taken the oath of office for a second term in a ceremony at the U.S. Capitol.

President Bush says he will use a second term to support the growth of democracies, as Americans have learned that the survival of liberty at home increasingly depends on the success of liberty abroad.

“We have seen our vulnerability - and we have seen its deepest source,” Mr. Bush said. “For as long as whole regions of the world simmer in resentment and tyranny - prone to ideologies that feed hatred and excuse murder - violence will gather, and multiply in destructive power, and cross the most defended borders, and raise a mortal threat.”

The president says his most solemn duty is to protect the nation from further attacks and emerging threats. He says some have unwisely chosen to test America’s resolve, and have found it firm.

President Bush won a close election and returns to office in a nation with deep political divisions. Public opinion polls show him with one of the lowest approval ratings for a re-elected president in the last 50 years.