The moment that so many Liberals have been waiting for, the crowning of Paul Martin, has finally arrived. Martin shook hands with Prime Minister Jean Chretien after the long-anticipated results of the Liberal leadership race were announced Friday night.

Martin, the former Chretien finance minister, has been at odds with his predecessor for years, but the infighting and hard feelings were left backstage as Liberals applauded their new leader in a show of unity at the leadership convention.

Irish rock star Bono kicked off the evening by calling on Canada and all the countries of the world to help relieve third world debt and raise money for AIDS. The theme tied in with Martin's promise to put his own unique stamp on the party and the country.

Finally declared leader, Martin tried to reassure left and centre Liberals that, as prime minister, he won't abandon their party's traditional values.

In his acceptance speech, Martin said his vision was not about "right-wing dogma" or "left-wing dogma." Instead, he said he wanted to focus on a new approach and Canada's potential in the 21st century.

"He reassured these delegates about what they really wanted to hear, that he will keep the party in the centre," said CTV Ottawa Bureau Chief Craig Oliver.

Martin insisted that winning the job he had fought for so long is just a first step and he recalled the advice of his father, the late Paul Martin Sr., who failed in his own bid to win the party leadership.

"So I know that, as he's looking down upon us tonight, he is saying, Paul, this is a big day but it's not the day. That will come many years hence when we can say that, yes, the country did aspire to great things, and then we got them done," Martin said.

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He promised a more accountable government, more freedom for MPs and better relations with provinces, cities and the United States. And then he saluted his old rival and the outgoing prime minister.

"I also want to thank the prime minister. If the true measure of a leader is whether he leaves the nation in better shape than he found it, then Jean Chretien can be truly proud." He credited Chretien with for supporting him unflinchingly during the deficit-fighting 1990s.

Martin had words of thanks for Brian Tobin, Allan Rock, and Deputy Prime Minister John Manley who all once considered challenging him for the leadership.

He made special mention of Heritage Minister Sheila Copps who was the only other candidate to stay in the race. Another Sheila, his wife, was credited for her support and making his dream possible.

The new leader is wasting no time in getting down to work. On Saturday morning, he will have his first official meeting with caucus and then he'll head to the Grey Cup to meet with the premiers.

As for when he will take over as prime minister, Chretien has promised to give Martin a date on Tuesday. Some insiders are now betting the prime minister will be ready to leave in mid-December.

Martin's victory speech came after the results were announced Friday night. There was no surprise at the former finance minister's 3,242-211 victory over Copps.

Some of the priorities outlined in Martin's speech included:

• Health care -- he vowed never to allow a two-tiered approach to medical care under his watch.
• Modernizing Canada's economy
• Increasing Canada's international presence
• Reforming Parliament
• Improving Ottawa's relations with the provinces

With reports from CTV's Roger Smith and The Canadian Press