Hamid Karzai has been sworn in for a second term as Afghanistan's president in a Kabul ceremony closely watched by western leaders keen to hear him outline a programme for tackling corruption.
The inauguration follows an election marred by fraud and comes at a time of rising public anger in Europe and America over continuing troop losses in Afghanistan.
In his speech, Karzai said his ministers must be "competent and just" and that within five years he hoped Afghan security forces would take the leader, with the number of foreign troops reduced.
He conceded that corruption was a "huge problem", adding: "We will soon organise a conference in Kabul to organise new and effective ways to combat this problem."
He also invited his defeated rival Abdullah Abdullah to work with him "for the prosperity of Afghanistan".
The ceremony was attended by dignitaries from more than 40 countries including US secretary of state Hillary Clinton and Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari.
Speaking in Kabul on the eve of Thursday's ceremony, Mrs Clinton said: "We stand at a critical moment on the eve of the inauguration of President Karzai's second term.
"There is now a clear window of opportunity for President Karzai and his government to make a compact with the people of Afghanistan to demonstrate clearly that they're going to have accountability and tangible results that will improve the lives of the people," she said.
"We want to be a strong partner with the government and the people of Afghanistan - and I always say both. Because it's not either or, it has to be both."
Karzai was declared Afghan president after a second round run-off was cancelled when his sole remaining challenger, Abdullah Abdullah, pulled out, citing concerns over the legitimacy of the election.
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