Afghan president sworn in to second 5-year term

[unhappycamper]

Afghan National Army soldiers pray in a French military tent set up as a mosque by a French Operational Mentor and Liaison Team in the Tagab Valley on Wednesday. Security forces increased patrols in Kabul, bracing for possible militant attacks during Thursday's inauguration ceremony.


Afghan president sworn in to second 5-year term
By KATHY GANNON
Associated Press Writer
Nov 19, 6:48 AM EST

KABUL (AP) -- Afghanistan will control its own security within five years and prosecute corrupt officials, President Hamid Karzai pledged Thursday in an inauguration speech made under intense pressure to shed the cronyism and graft that marked his government's first term.

Karzai also said he wanted private Afghan and foreign security companies to stop operating in the country within two years.

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

Karzai won this year's fraud-marred presidential election after his main rival, Abdullah Abdullah, pulled out of a runoff, saying it was impossible for the vote to be fair.

But in his speech, Karzai sought to portray himself as a unifying force and invited those who ran in the election to work together for the benefit of the country.


Rest of article at: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AS_AFGHANISTAN?SITE=DCSAS&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT