Hamid Karzai Sworn In for 2nd Term as Afghanistan President

Afghanistan's President Hamid Karzai (L) is seen during his swearing-in for another term, in Kabul Afghanistan on 19 November 2009. Photo by EPA/BGNES

Hamid Karzai has been sworn in for a second elected term as Afghan president following an election mired in fraud.

In his inauguration speech, Karzai addressed the key question of corruption, saying his ministers had be "competent and just".

Karzai said that within five years he hoped Afghan security forces would take the lead and the role for foreign troops would be reduced.

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

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

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