UN welcomes inauguration of new Afghan president

The UN Security Council welcomed the inauguration of new Afghan President Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai, which marks the first ever peaceful transition of power in the country.

The Security Council members reiterated the importance of all parties in the Asian country working within the framework of the government of national unity in order to achieve a unified, peaceful and prosperous future for all the people of Afghanistan, Xinhua cited a press statement issued Monday.

The UN called for the new government to effectively address the issues like security, good governance, human rights, democracy, the fight against corruption and narcotics, as well as economic recovery.

"The members of the council reiterated their condemnation of violent and terrorist activities by the Taliban, Al Qaeda and other violent extremist and terrorist groups aimed at destabilizing the situation in the country, and re-asserted that no terrorist act can reverse the path toward Afghan-led peace, democracy and stability in Afghanistan, which is supported by the people and the government of Afghanistan and by the international community," the statement said.

Abdullah Abdullah has been appointed as chief executive of the new Afghan government.

The newly created post of chief executive is equal to that of a prime minister in the national unity government.

Ghani succeeded Hamid Karzai, becoming the second Afghan president after the fall of the Taliban regime in 2001.

Unity government deal was signed between Afghan Abdullah Abdullah and Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai Sunday on the formation of government to end the election deadlock.

--Ind-Asian News Service

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