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Karzai sworn in as Afghan leader Karzai sworn in as Afghan leader
(10 minutes later)
Hamid Karzai has been sworn in for a second elected term as Afghan president following an election mired in fraud.Hamid Karzai has been sworn in for a second elected term as Afghan president following an election mired in fraud.
Mr Karzai is delivering his inauguration speech, saying the ministers in his administration must be "competent and just". In his inauguration speech, Mr Karzai addressed the key question of corruption, saying his ministers had be "competent and just".
Mr Karzai had come under growing pressure to tackle corruption. Mr Karzai said that within five years he hoped Afghan security forces would take the lead and the role for foreign troops would be reduced.
Speaking in Kabul on the eve of Thursday's ceremony, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the country was at a "critical moment". He also invited his defeated rivals to join him in working for peace.
Mrs Clinton had said there was a "window of opportunity" for Mr Karzai to demonstrate he was going to improve Afghans' lives.
'Strong partner''Strong partner'
Kabul's streets were almost empty on Thursday as security forces set up numerous roadblocks ahead of the ceremony.Kabul's streets were almost empty on Thursday as security forces set up numerous roadblocks ahead of the ceremony.
We want to be a strong partner with the government and the people of Afghanistan Hillary Clinton West seeks new beginnings Corruption a political obstacle Afghans 'blame poverty for war' Clinton ready to talk toughWe want to be a strong partner with the government and the people of Afghanistan Hillary Clinton West seeks new beginnings Corruption a political obstacle Afghans 'blame poverty for war' Clinton ready to talk tough
Dignitaries from about 40 countries are attending, including Mrs Clinton and Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari. Dignitaries from about 40 countries are attending, including US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari.
In his inauguration speech, Mr Karzai addressed corruption, saying that good governance came from good management and that he would take care to ensure his ministers were "competent and just".In his inauguration speech, Mr Karzai addressed corruption, saying that good governance came from good management and that he would take care to ensure his ministers were "competent and just".
He said corruption was a "huge problem" and that there would be a conference in Kabul soon to seek new ways of fighting it.He said corruption was a "huge problem" and that there would be a conference in Kabul soon to seek new ways of fighting it.
Mr Karzai also invited his main defeated rival Abdullah Abdullah to work with him "for the prosperity of Afghanistan".Mr Karzai also invited his main defeated rival Abdullah Abdullah to work with him "for the prosperity of Afghanistan".
Mr Karzai called for a national jirga - or council - to help bring peace. Mr Karzai called for a loya jirga - or grand assembly - to help bring peace.
He said the strength of Afghan security forces had to be bolstered and the role of international forces reduced.He said the strength of Afghan security forces had to be bolstered and the role of international forces reduced.
Mr Karzai also said he would step up the battle against the production and trafficking of drugs.Mr Karzai also said he would step up the battle against the production and trafficking of drugs.
Earlier, Mrs Clinton had said: "We stand at a critical moment on the eve of the inauguration of President Karzai's second term. Speaking in Kabul on the eve of Thursday's ceremony, Mrs Clinton said: "We stand at a critical moment on the eve of the inauguration of President Karzai's second term.
ANALYSIS Martin PatienceBBC News, KabulANALYSIS Martin PatienceBBC News, Kabul
Western leaders are backing the Afghan leader. They know they have little choice - and need to work closely with the Afghan government otherwise the situation will only get worse.Western leaders are backing the Afghan leader. They know they have little choice - and need to work closely with the Afghan government otherwise the situation will only get worse.
But with a faltering mission in Afghanistan - and their troops dying in the field - those leaders are getting tough. They want President Karzai to tackle rampant corruption within his government - something he has promised to do.But with a faltering mission in Afghanistan - and their troops dying in the field - those leaders are getting tough. They want President Karzai to tackle rampant corruption within his government - something he has promised to do.
And all of this comes as President Obama deliberates on whether to send more troops to the country where the security situation is worsening.And all of this comes as President Obama deliberates on whether to send more troops to the country where the security situation is worsening.
There are concerns within his administration that more troops may make little difference unless the Afghan government increases its authority across the country.There are concerns within his administration that more troops may make little difference unless the Afghan government increases its authority across the country.
"There is now a clear window of opportunity for President Karzai and his government to make a compact with the people of Afghanistan to demonstrate clearly that they're going to have accountability and tangible results that will improve the lives of the people," she said."There is now a clear window of opportunity for President Karzai and his government to make a compact with the people of Afghanistan to demonstrate clearly that they're going to have accountability and tangible results that will improve the lives of the people," she said.
"We want to be a strong partner with the government and the people of Afghanistan - and I always say both. Because it's not either or, it has to be both.""We want to be a strong partner with the government and the people of Afghanistan - and I always say both. Because it's not either or, it has to be both."
The BBC's Kim Ghattas reports from Kabul that for Washington, Mrs Clinton's presence at the inauguration is a qualified endorsement of Mr Karzai.The BBC's Kim Ghattas reports from Kabul that for Washington, Mrs Clinton's presence at the inauguration is a qualified endorsement of Mr Karzai.
Both US President Barack Obama and Mrs Clinton have made very public statements about the need to fight corruption, and Mrs Clinton has also warned that civilian aid will not continue to flow to Afghanistan unless the issue is addressed.Both US President Barack Obama and Mrs Clinton have made very public statements about the need to fight corruption, and Mrs Clinton has also warned that civilian aid will not continue to flow to Afghanistan unless the issue is addressed.
The Obama administration is currently debating sending more troops to Afghanistan, with the president saying he is "very close" to a decision.The Obama administration is currently debating sending more troops to Afghanistan, with the president saying he is "very close" to a decision.
Mr Karzai was declared Afghan president after a second round run-off was called off when his sole remaining challenger pulled out, saying the vote could not be free and fair.Mr Karzai was declared Afghan president after a second round run-off was called off when his sole remaining challenger pulled out, saying the vote could not be free and fair.
Widespread fraud in the 20 August first round led to Mr Karzai being stripped of the outright win he appeared to have secured.Widespread fraud in the 20 August first round led to Mr Karzai being stripped of the outright win he appeared to have secured.
Meanwhile, a survey from British aid agency Oxfam has said poverty and unemployment are overwhelmingly seen as the main reasons behind conflict in Afghanistan.Meanwhile, a survey from British aid agency Oxfam has said poverty and unemployment are overwhelmingly seen as the main reasons behind conflict in Afghanistan.
Government weakness and corruption were the next most commonly cited reasons, ahead of Taliban violence.Government weakness and corruption were the next most commonly cited reasons, ahead of Taliban violence.
Are you in Afghanistan? How are you feeling on the day of President Karzai's inauguration? Send us your comments.Are you in Afghanistan? How are you feeling on the day of President Karzai's inauguration? Send us your comments.
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions