KABUL leaders poured in.
The United Nations warmly congratulated Ahmadzai and reaffirmed its commitment to cooperate with the national unity government in the country’s progress to peace, stability and development.
The UN applauded both Ghani and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Abdullah for their pledge to work together to serve all Afghans through the national unity government and looks forward to the speedy formation of a new government.
“Both President Ghani and Dr. Abdullah carry the nation’s expectations,” said Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Ján Kubiš. “The many challenges facing Afghanistan can only be overcome through unity and statesmanship.”
US Ambassador James B. Cunningham said they looked forward to working closely with President Ghani and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Abdullah as they formed a strong national unity government that would serve the people and work for the security, peace and prosperity.
“I urge all Afghans to give their full support and encouragement to the new government and its leaders. Afghanistan must take advantage of this pivotal moment in Afghanistan’s history. There is great opportunity ahead for a unified Afghanistan which will have the support of the United States, and Afghanistan’s other international partners…”
European Commission president José Manuel Barroso said: “On behalf of the European Union, we would like to extend to you our congratulations following the elections of 14 June 2014.”
Barroso added: “We trust that all Afghans will unite in addressing the important economic and security challenges,” he said, promising the European Union will continue its long-term engagement to assist the people of Afghanistan on the path towards peace and prosperity.
“We are committed to working closely with you and the new Afghan government to implement urgently needed political and economic reforms strengthen the rule of law and foster full respect for human rights, in particular the rights of women and girls.”
He said the EU looked forward to further consolidating cooperation, partnership and friendship with Afghanistan.
Also, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif congratulated Ahmadzai and Abdullah on their power-sharing agreement during separate phone calls and invited both the leaders to visit Pakistan.
In his felicitation message, Pakistan President Mamnoon Hussain said “Pakistan looks forward to building a strong bilateral relationship with Afghanistan.”
He said only strong, stable and cooperative bilateral relations could advance the interests of their peoples and promote peace, stability and prosperity in the region. The president said Pakistan and Afghanistan enjoyed deep-rooted relations based on commonalities of faith, culture and history.
Ghani, the former World Bank technocrat and prominent intellectual, on Monday became the first modern leader of Afghanistan to take office in a peaceful transfer of power.
His inauguration ceremony was attended by mostly low-level delegations from Afghanistan’s international supporters, including the United States, which sent two of President Obama’s advisers along with the American ambassador, James B. Cunningham, and the American military commander, Gen. John F. Campbell.
Pakistan was apparently the only country to send a head of state, President Mamnoon Hussain, despite the deeply strained relations between the two neighbors.
Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird and Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander in a joint statement greeted Ahmadzai on the occasion of his inauguration as president of Afghanistan on behalf their people and government.
“Canada warmly congratulates Dr. Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai on the occasion of his inauguration as president of Afghanistan and Dr. Abdullah Abdullah on his appointment as chief executive officer. We look forward to working with both leaders as they form a government of national unity,” the statement said.
The two Canadian leaders hoped the historic transfer of power from one president to the next would reassure the Afghan people that their commitment to the democratic process had been respected.
“And that the new unity government will advance the Afghan national interest, rebuild the Afghan economy for women and men, and fulfill the promise of the Afghan constitution for all Afghans through this crucial period of transition and transformation.”
It called the inauguration another milestone in Afghanistan’s transition to becoming more secure, more prosperous and self-sufficient.
“Canadians are rightly proud of the sacrifices and support we have provided for well over a decade—for freedom, justice and peace for all Afghans.”
The statement said Canada would continue to support the Afghan people and their new government as they moved forward to build the brighter future their children so greatly deserved.
Speaker of Tajikistan’s Majlisi Namoyandagon (lower chamber of parliament) Shukurjon Zuhurov and Iran’s Vice-President Mohammad Shariatmadari attended the inauguration ceremony.
The Tajik delegation included Transport Minister and Deputy Foreign Minister. While, Shariatmadari attended the oath taking ceremony on behalf of President Hassan Rouhani, who is in Russia to participate in the 4th summit of the Caspian Sea littoral states.
Shariatmadari will meet Ghani, Abdullah and outgoing president Hamid Karzai, an Iranian news agency reported.
ma/mud
