Afghan President Karzai Sworn In

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 announced a conference to tackle corruption and a national gathering to help bring peace to Afghanistan.

He also invited his defeated rivals to join him in working for peace.

Two US soldiers and 10 Afghan civilians were killed in separate blasts in the south as the ceremony took place.

'Dangerous problem'
Kabul's streets were almost empty on Thursday as security forces set up numerous roadblocks ahead of the ceremony.

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.

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.

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."

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 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.

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.

'No meaning'
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".

Source: BBC