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

A senior adviser to President Barack Obama said the change in leadership would allow Kabul to sign a long-awaited security pact on Tuesday permitting U.S. forces to remain in the country past the end of the year.

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 countrys north and southeast.

In his first speech, Ghani Ahmadzai called on the Taliban and other militants to join the countrys political process and lay down their weapons. However, insurgent violence on Monday killed at least 12 civilians and police officers.

We are tired of war, Ghani Ahmadzai said in a televised address. Our message is peace, (but) this doesnt mean we are weak.

Ghani Ahmadzai, a former World Bank official and Afghan finance minister, wore a dark black turban popular in the countrys south as he swore in his two vice presidents and then Abdullah.

Abdullah, a former foreign minister, spoke first and thanked Karzai for his service and the people of the country for casting votes in the millions despite the threat of attack from Taliban militants who tried to thwart the election process.

We are committed as one in the national unity government, Abdullah said. Our commitment will be fulfilled together as unified team to create national unity.

Ghani Ahmadzai then congratulated Karzai for a peaceful and democratic transition of power, and he thanked Abdullah for making the national unity government possible. The new president also promised to confront the countrys endemic corruption.

We want to be held accountable. I am your leader but I am no better than you. If I make mistakes, you should hold me accountable, Ghani Ahmadzai said.

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Afghanistan swears in first new president since 2001 US invasion