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Rediff.com  » News » Karzai starts second innings as Afghanistan President

Karzai starts second innings as Afghanistan President

Last updated on: November 19, 2009 22:35 IST

Image: Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai inspects the guard of honour upon his arrival at the presidential palace in Kabul
Photographs: Jerry Lampen/Reuters

Hamid Karzai was on Thursday sworn in as Afghanistan President for a second term, and he vowed to rid the country of terrorism and strengthen its armed forces.

Karzai was administered the oath of office by the head of Supreme Court Abdul Salam Azmi at a grand ceremony at the presidential palace in the presence of 800 guests, including External Affairs Minister S M Krishna, United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari.

In his first public address on returning to power, after an election marred by allegations of fraud, Karzai pledged to get rid of corruption and reached out to his political rivals, offering to form a government of national unity.

The 51-year-old Afghan leader appreciated India's aid of $1.3 billion for his country's reconstruction and said he would make efforts to expand and strengthen ties with neighbours based on 'mutual respect and genuine friendship'.

"We enjoy the strategic relations with the Republic of India," he said.

Talking about the security situation in the country, he said, "we are determined that by the next five years, the Afghan forces will be capable of taking the lead in ensuring security and stability across the country, with foreign troops only responsible for support and training."

Karzai starts second innings as Afghanistan President

Image: Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai is flanked by his vice presidents Mohammad Qasim Fahim (Left) and Karim Khalili as he takes oath during his inauguration as President in Kabul
Photographs: Jerry Lampen/Reuters

With the country facing intense resurgence by Taliban militants, Karzai said, "We will utilise all national and international resources to put an end to war and fratricide."

Karzai announced that he will call a 'Loya Jirga' -- a meeting of tribal heads -- to bring peace.

Reaching out to his rival and former foreign minister Abdullah Abdullah, he said, "I would like to invite all the presidential candidates, including my brother Abdullah Abdullah, to come together to achieve the important task of national unity."

The Afghan leader said he believed that the problem of international terrorism in his country could be overcome. "We will implement social, judicial and administrative reforms in the country and crack down on corruption," he said.

Karzai starts second innings as Afghanistan President

Image: Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai kisses the Holy Koran after his inauguration as President as his Vice President Karim Khalili looks on
Photographs: Jerry Lampen/Reuters

"Those who indulge and spread corruption should be tried and prosecuted, and henceforth corruption in Afghanistan will be enemy of state," he said. Afghanistan is one of the most corrupt nations in the world.

The President said a conference will be held soon to address ways to tackle corruption and chalk out tough measures against drug traffickers.

Karzai was declared re-elected to the Presidency on November 2 by the country's independent Election Commission, after Abdullah Abdullah withdrew from the November 7 run-off, which was ordered following a United Nations-backed commission's findings that nearly a third of the votes cast on August 20 were fraudulent.

Fearing Taliban strikes during the ceremony, Afghan and North Atlantic Treaty Organisation forces put the capital city of Kabul under a heavy security net, closing the international airport and advising citizens and foreigners to stay indoors.

Clad in a traditional hat and colourful cape, Karzai took the oath flanked by vice presidents Mohammed Fahim and Abdul Karim Khalili.