Ashraf Ghani has been sworn in as Afghanistan’s president in a ceremony at the presidential palace in Kabul.
It comes after six months of deadlock amid a bitter dispute over electoral fraud and a recount of votes.
Under a US-brokered unity deal Mr Ghani takes over the presidency and runner-up Abdullah Abdullah can nominate a figure with prime-ministerial powers.
The Taliban have described the deal as a “US-orchestrated sham” but Mr Ghani hailed it as a “big victory”.
Mr Ghani took an oath to abide by the constitution at the swearing-in ceremony attended by up to 100 dignitaries.
He said he would work for long-term peace, promised to tackle corruption and said constitutional changes were needed.
