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Karzai sets Afghan forces target Karzai sets Afghan forces target
(about 3 hours later)
Hamid Karzai has been sworn in as Afghan president for a second elected term, saying he wants Afghan forces in charge of the nation within five years.Hamid Karzai has been sworn in as Afghan president for a second elected term, saying he wants Afghan forces in charge of the nation within five years.
In his inauguration speech, Mr Karzai also addressed the key question of corruption, saying his ministers had to be "competent and just". In his inauguration speech, Mr Karzai announced a conference to tackle corruption and a national gathering to help bring peace to Afghanistan.
He announced a conference to tackle the issue as well as a national gathering to help bring peace to Afghanistan.
He also invited his defeated rivals to join him in working for peace.He also invited his defeated rivals to join him in working for peace.
Fresh agenda On the morning of the ceremony, two US soldiers were killed in an explosion in southern Afghanistan.
'Dangerous problem'
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.
ANALYSIS Martin PatienceBBC News, KabulANALYSIS Martin PatienceBBC News, Kabul
Karzai's speech contained all the key phrases: corruption, national reconciliation and unity, and security.Karzai's speech contained all the key phrases: corruption, national reconciliation and unity, and security.
The international community has demanded the Afghan leader do more to tackle rampant corruption. Mr Karzai said he would host a conference on the issue in the coming months. He promised to take a tougher line and sack officials found to be corrupt. There would be close scrutiny of the individuals he appoints to his cabinet.The international community has demanded the Afghan leader do more to tackle rampant corruption. Mr Karzai said he would host a conference on the issue in the coming months. He promised to take a tougher line and sack officials found to be corrupt. There would be close scrutiny of the individuals he appoints to his cabinet.
But perhaps most significant was his call for Afghan security forces to take over control in five years. The US and other allies want Afghans to take the lead (as do the Afghans). While the Afghan army is improving, some experts say it will need continued support for decades to come in areas where the insurgency is at its strongest.But perhaps most significant was his call for Afghan security forces to take over control in five years. The US and other allies want Afghans to take the lead (as do the Afghans). While the Afghan army is improving, some experts say it will need continued support for decades to come in areas where the insurgency is at its strongest.
But the intention is there - and that will be important in Washington and European capitals. The allies need to tell increasingly sceptical publics this is not a war without end.But the intention is there - and that will be important in Washington and European capitals. The allies need to tell increasingly sceptical publics this is not a war without end.
The international airport was closed, a holiday was called and people were advised to stay indoors as part of the security lockdown.The international airport was closed, a holiday was called and people were advised to stay indoors as part of the security lockdown.
Dignitaries from about 40 countries were attending the ceremony, including US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband.Dignitaries from about 40 countries were attending the ceremony, including US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband.
Nato extended its "best wishes" to Mr Karzai, and said it supported his intention to form an administration in which "corruption has no place". The international community - including the US and Nato - congratulated Mr Karzai on his inauguration, but warned that "tangible results" were needed on tackling corruption and improving security.
"It is critically important that the Afghan people, and the citizens of the countries sending troops to the international mission, see concrete progress in this regard," Nato Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said in a statement.
In his speech, Mr Karzai said the strength of Afghan security forces had to be bolstered and the role of international forces reduced.In his speech, Mr Karzai said the strength of Afghan security forces had to be bolstered and the role of international forces reduced.
He said: "We hope that the Afghan forces will lead the task of security and stability throughout the country in the coming five years."He said: "We hope that the Afghan forces will lead the task of security and stability throughout the country in the coming five years."
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".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 "dangerous problem", adding: "We will soon organise a conference in Kabul to organise new and effective ways to combat this problem."He said corruption was a "dangerous problem", adding: "We will soon organise a conference in Kabul to organise new and effective ways to combat this problem."
He added: "We have to learn from our mistakes and shortcomings of the last eight years."He added: "We have to learn from our mistakes and shortcomings of the last eight years."
Mr Karzai also called for a loya jirga - or national gathering - to help bring peace.Mr Karzai also called for a loya jirga - or national gathering - to help bring peace.
He invited his main defeated rival Abdullah Abdullah to work with him "for the prosperity of Afghanistan".He invited his main defeated rival Abdullah Abdullah to work with him "for the prosperity of Afghanistan".
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.
'Strong partner' 'No meaning'
Speaking in Kabul on the eve of Thursday's ceremony, Mrs Clinton said that this was a "critical moment". Speaking in Kabul after the ceremony, Mrs Clinton said the international community was willing to support Mr Karzai's government, but that results had to be "seen and felt in the lives of the people of Afghanistan".
The Afghan government is determined to fight the trafficking and cultivation of drugs. Government officials found to be involved in drugs will be fired Hamid Karzai West seeks new beginnings Corruption a political obstacle Karzai speech: Key excerptsThe Afghan government is determined to fight the trafficking and cultivation of drugs. Government officials found to be involved in drugs will be fired Hamid Karzai West seeks new beginnings Corruption a political obstacle Karzai speech: Key excerpts
"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 expect outcomes that deliver on security - the build-up of an Afghan national security force as well as a national police force - tangible benefits that flow to the people of Afghanistan and an accountable, transparent government insofar as that can be obtained, as well as a strong stand against corruption."
"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." Nato extended its "best wishes" to Mr Karzai but Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said there now needed to be "concrete progress".
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. Afghan MP Shinkai Karokhel said the people trusted Mr Karzai to deliver.
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. "This is the time that President Karzai should prove himself and fulfil his promises," she said.
The Taliban, however, condemned the inauguration.
"Karzai's call to the Taliban to come to the government has no meaning. He became president through fraud and lies," spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid told the Associated Press in a telephone call.
"This is a government based on nothing because of the continuing presence of foreign troops in Afghanistan," he said.
As Mr Karzai was sworn in, two US soldiers were killed by a suicide car bomber in southern Zabul province.
The bomber detonated his explosives near the gate of a Nato base, police said.
Run-off abandoned
The BBC's Kim Ghattas reports from Kabul that for Washington, Mrs Clinton's presence at the inauguration was a qualified endorsement of Mr Karzai.
HAVE YOUR SAY This will lead to more mess, violence and instability in the country Asif Chaudhary, Lahore, Pakistan Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY This will lead to more mess, violence and instability in the country Asif Chaudhary, Lahore, Pakistan Send us your comments
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.
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