Lula ratified as Brazil's next president

Brazilian president-elect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva broke down in tears at a ceremony ratifying his election win, which cemented the veteran leftist's comeback for a third presidential term.

Speaking after receiving the official "diploma" declaring him the winner of Brazil's October 30 presidential runoff, the 77-year-old ex-metalworker was overcome with emotion as he praised "the boldness of the Brazilian people in handing this document to someone who's been attacked so many times for not having a university diploma."

Lula described the ceremony as a victory for democracy, after Bolsonaro baselessly attacked Brazil's electoral system as fraud-ridden and encouraged what he called "legitimate protests" against the result.

"This is a celebration of true democracy," Lula said in his speech at the Superior Electoral Tribunal (TSE).

"Seldom in our country's recent history has democracy been so threatened, seldom has the will of the people been so tested and had to overcome so many obstacles to make itself heard."

The head of the TSE, Judge Alexandre de Moraes, praised the electoral authority for "guaranteeing democratic stability and fending off criminal attacks on the pillars of constitutional government."

Lula won the bitterly divisive election by the narrowest margin in Brazil's modern history, 50.9 percent to 40.1 percent.

Bolsonaro has not explicitly conceded defeat. But he authorised the transition process to go ahead.