Vietnam’s top security official To Lam confirmed as president

To Lam speaks after swearing in as the Vietnamese president at the National Assembly in Hanoi (Nghia Duc/National Assembly via AP)

Vietnam’s top security official To Lam has been confirmed as the nation’s new president.

He oversaw police and intelligence operations over a period when rights groups say basic liberties have been systematically suppressed and its secret service was accused of violating international law.