Former guerrilla fighter José Mujica has won Uruguay's presidential election with over 51 percent of the votes. He narrowly beat his conservative opponent, former president Luis Alberto Lacalle, who has conceded defeat.

Mr Mujica, known as Pepe, had been favourite to win the poll. In last month's first round, he just missed getting the 50 percent needed to win the presidency outright and the race had to go to a second round.

He is a former leader of the left-wing Tupamaros movement, which was responsible for political kidnappings and bank robberies in the 1960s. However, Mr Mujica has renounced his radical past and has promised to continue with Uruguay's market-friendly policies.

photo: José Mujica (EPA/ANP)