KABUL, Afghanistan: The former World Bank economist Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai took oath as the new Afghan President in a ceremony held at the presidential palace in Kabul on Monday.
The security was tightened in the Afghan capital for the inauguration ceremony which was attended by many international leaders and dignitaries.
President Mamnoon Hussain represented Pakistan at the ceremony while Mahmoud Khan Achakzai, Asfand Yaar Wali Khan and Aftab Sherpao were also amongst over 200 foreign delegates who attended the ceremony.
The Pakistani President is likely to hold a meeting with his Afghan counterpart later today.
Ashraf Ghani was named president-elect after he reached a deal to share power with his rival in the June run-off election Abdullah Abdullah following months of political wrangling.
It was decided under the deal that Ashraf Ghani would become the country’s president while Abdullah Abdullah would take up the post of a chief executive with powers similar to those of the prime minister.
The new Afghan government will succeed that of President Hamid Karzai who has been in power since Washington and its allies invaded the country.
