Afghanistan getting ready for presidential inauguration

Afghanistan prepares to inaugurate its new president, Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai, who takes power following a three-month dispute over final results of the country’s presidential election.

Ghani will be officially inaugurated on Monday days after he reached a deal with his former rival, Abdullah Abdullah.

According to government officials, some 1,400 Afghan and foreign guests and dignitaries are expected to attend the inauguration ceremony, which will be held in the presidential compound amid tight security.

The Ghani administration will replace the administration of President Hamid Karzai, who has been in power in Afghanistan since 2001.

On September 21, Afghanistan's presidential rivals inked a power-sharing agreement following months of tension after the disputed June 14 vote.

Based on the deal, Ghani will become president, while Abdullah will take up the new post of “chief executive officer” (CEO), which will be similar to the role of prime minister.

Ghani has praised the country's “first democratic transfer of power,” saying it will secure peace in the war-torn country.

Meanwhile, on the eve of the inauguration ceremony, a bomb went off close to the presidential palace in Afghanistan’s capital city of Kabul, raising security concerns.

The new Afghan government will succeed that of President Karzai, who has been in power since Washington and its allies invaded the country.

The United States and its allies invaded Afghanistan in 2001 as part of Washington’s so-called war on terror. The offensive removed the Taliban from power.