New Afghan President Sworn In

29 September 2014 | 17:52 Code : 1939026 Home Photo Essay

Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai was sworn in Monday as Afghanistan’s new president, replacing Hamid Karzai in the country’s first democratic transfer of power since the 2001 U.S.-led invasion toppled the Taliban.

Moments after Ghani Ahmadzai took the oath, he swore in his election challenger, Abdullah Abdullah, as chief executive, fulfilling a political pledge he had taken to share power and defuse election tensions that had threatened to spark violence between the country's north and south.

Afghanistan's new President Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai (L) stands next to Afghanistan's Chief Justice Abdul Salam Azimi as he takes the oath during his inauguration as president in Kabul.

Afghanistan's new President Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai takes the oath during his inauguration as president in Kabul

President Ashraf Ghani of Afghanistan, right, and the country's new chief executive, Abdullah Abdullah, at Mr. Ghani's swearing-in ceremony in the capital, Kabul, on Monday.

Afghanistan's new President Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai (L) shakes hands with Afghanistan's Chief Justice Abdul Salam Azimi as he takes the oath during his inauguration as president in Kabul.

Afghanistan's new President Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai (2nd L) stands next to Afghanistan's Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah (L) and his deputies as he takes the oath during his inauguration as president.