New Afghan President Sworn in after Disputed Vote

Local Editor

Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai was sworn in Monday as Afghanistan's new president, replacing Hamid Karzai in the country's first democratic transfer of power since the 2001 US-led invasion toppled the Taliban.

Ghani Ahmadzai became president of Afghanistan in a peaceful transition after a six-month election season that ended with marathon negotiations that gave the newly created position of chief executive to his challenger Abdullah Abdullah.

Ghani Ahmadzai entered the presidential palace wearing a dark black turban popular in the country's south. His electoral challenger Abdullah, who is slated to fill the newly created position of chief executive, sat two seats away, with Karzai anchoring the spot in between.

Karzai has said he is glad to be stepping down after more than a decade of what the US ambassador recently said was one of the most difficult jobs in the world.

The inauguration caps a nearly six-month election season that began when ballots were first cast in April. A runoff election in June between Ghani Ahmadzai and Abdullah stretched on for weeks as both sides leveled charges of fraud.

Meanwhile, violence continued Monday in Afghanistan. In the eastern province of Paktia, Capt. Mohammed Hekhlas said that a car bomb exploded near a government compound as gunmen attacked, sparking a gun battle that killed seven Taliban militants. Another police official, who gave his name as Azimullah, said four police officers and two civilians also were killed.

In Kabul, where the city is readying for the presidential inauguration, a roadside bomb exploded on the airport road. Officials said no one was hurt or killed.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team