Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


         Security Out in Force Before Afghan Presidential Inauguration

   by Reuters

   Security is tight in the Afghan capital, Kabul, ahead of Monday's
   inauguration of Ashraf Ghani, who will replace longtime leader Hamid
   Karzai just before most foreign troops withdraw from the
   violence-racked country at the end of the year.

   Ghani, a former finance minister, was named president-elect  after he
   signed a deal to share power with his opponent, Abdullah Abdullah,
   which ended  months of turmoil and removed an obstacle to the signing
   of a bilateral security agreement (BSA) with the United States and a
   "status of forces agreement" (SOFA) with NATO.

   International leaders and dignitaries have been invited to the ceremony
   as the Taliban and allied insurgents seek to launch attacks to scare
   visitors away and create a mood of insecurity.

   Chief executive position

   Monday's inauguration will also see presidential candidate Abdullah
   named chief executive, a post similar to prime minister.

   Afghan residents urged both Ghani and Abdullah to work together.

   ''"We expect both (Ghani and Abdullah) to fulfill their promises they
   gave to the people during campaigning, we the people of Afghanistan are
   monitoring their performance to see whether they can serve the people
   or not. They must  put in practice their action they should improve
   people security and economy life," said Mohammad Sharif, a resident of
   Kabul.

   "If both leaders work together and stand united they will be able to
   put an end to the corruption and lawlessness but if they don't stay
   united we believe that their government will repeat the same mistake as
   the previous government and they will not be able to provide service to
   the people," said Ahmadullah Bahawi, a resident of Kabul.

   Stability sought

   Political analyst Javeed Kohistani said a national unity government
   could bring stability to the country.

   "Considering the current situation, unfortunately Afghanistan is facing
   security challenges and daily threats," Kohistani said.

   "The formation of a national unity government, which brings all parties
   into the government, particularly the two leading candidates who signed
   the national unity government, should help bring stability to the
   country because these two (Ghani and Abdullah) have gained the majority
   votes of the nation and their government will be a strong government to
   lead the country," he added.

   Earlier on Sunday, a bomb hit a military vehicle in the diplomatic
   quarter in Kabul, wounding one person.

   Police said no one was killed by the magnetic bomb, which was attached
   to a military truck in Zanbaq Square, near the vast presidential palace
   compound and several embassies.
     __________________________________________________________________

   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/afghanistan-presidential-inauguration
   -security/2465094.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/afghanistan-presidential-inauguration-security/2465094.html