Inaugural ceremony for new president discussed

KABUL (Pajhwok): President Hamid Karzai on Thursday ordered the creation of a commission to make preparations for the swearing-in of his successor.

Karzai’s office said in a statement that a high-level meeting discussed measures for holding the inaugural ceremony for the incoming president.

Leading presidential runners Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, Dr. Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai, Vice-Presidents Mohammad Yunus Qanuni and Karim Khalili took part in the meeting.

Acting Chief Justice Abdul Salam Azimi, Meshrano Jirga Speaker Abdul Latif Ibrahimi and Karzai’s Chief of Staff Abdul Karim Khurram were also in attendance.

The statement said the participants decided on constituting a commission to prepare the inaugural ceremony in a befitting way. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was directed to send out invitations to foreign dignitaries.

Amid predictions of a runoff election next month, the final outcome of the April 5 ballot is expected on May 14. According to the preliminary results, Dr. Abdullah has won 44.9 percent of votes, followed by Ahmadzai with 31.5 percent.

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