Parliament’s joint sitting gets under way

KABUL): Entering the third year of its constitutional five-year term, the parliament commenced its joint session on Wednesday, with Speaker Abdul Rauf Ibrahimi calling for a sustained focus on problem resolution and bringing prosperity to the country.

On the occasion, President Hamid Karzai spoke on Afghanistan, an army band presented the national anthem. The speaker welcomed Karzai and other guests.

In his remarks, Ibrahimi said Afghanistan was in a critical phase, preparing for presidential and provincial council elections over the next two years. Foreign troops were in the process of transferring the security responsibility to local forces, he added.

The struggle against terrorism and corruption had also reached an important stage, he said, adding the global fraternity had linked future assistance to Afghanistan with an effective campaign against administrative graft.

He promised the assembly, which returned from its 45-day winter recess today, would efficiently discharge its duty in dealing with the complex challenges being faced by the country.

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