Humza Yousaf has pledged to lead Scotland “in the interest of all of our citizens” after being announced as SNP leader on Monday.
The Glasgow Pollok MSP and Health Secretary was elected to replace Nicola Sturgeon at the second round with 52 per cent of the vote.
He had 48 per cent of the vote after the first round on a 70 per cent turnout.
The result was announced at Murrayfield Stadium shortly after 2pm.
The new SNP leader said he will lead in the interests of people from all political backgrounds.
He said: “If elected as your first minister in parliament tomorrow, know that I will be a first minister for all of Scotland.
“I will work every minute of every day to earn and re-earn your respect and your trust.
“I will do that by treating you, the people of Scotland, with respect.
“There will be no empty promises or easy soundbites when the issues in front of us are difficult and complex.
“Because government is not easy and I won’t pretend that it is.”
Yousaf took 24,336 (48 per cent) of the first preference votes. Forbes took 20,559 (40 per cent) and Regan took 5,599 (11 per cent) of the vote.
When second preferences were distributed, Yousaf took 26,032 (52 per cent) and Forbes took 23,890 (48 per cent).
He will be the first person from an ethnic minority background to be first minister and the first Muslim to lead the country - as well as the youngest ever first minister.
The 37-year old recalled how his grandparents had moved from the Punjab to Scotland more than six decades ago
He said: "As immigrants to this country, who knew barely a word of English, they could not have imagined in their wildest dreams that their grandson would one day be on the cusp of being the next first minister of Scotland."
The new leader continued: "We should all take pride in the fact that today we have sent a clear message, that your colour of skin, or your faith, is not a barrier to leading the country we all call home.
"From the Punjab to our Parliament, this is a journey over generations that reminds us that we should be celebrating and always celebrate the migrants who contribute so much to our country."
Yousaf admitted that the campaign had been "bruising" but said that the party will now unite to "deliver independence"
He said: “Leadership elections, by their very nature, can be bruising.
“However, in the SNP we are a family.
“Over the last five weeks we may have been competitors or supporters of different candidates.
“We are no longer team Humza, or team Ash, or team Kate, we are one team.
“We will be the team, we will be the generation that delivers independence for Scotland.”
“I feel like the luckiest man in the world to be standing here as leader of the SNP.
“A party I joined almost 20 years ago and that I love so dearly.”
Yousaf also paid tribute to the late Labour leader John Smith in his victory speech and said it was “the greatest honour and privilege of my life” to be the next first minister, should parliament decide to elect him.
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