Ashraf Ghani took oath as new Afghan President

Ashraf Ghani was sworn in as Afghanistan's new president, replacing Hamid Karzai in the country's first democratic transfer of power since the fall of Taliban due to U.S.-led invasion in 2001.

Karzai had been Afghanistan's only leader since 2001. Ghani took oath at Kabul's presidential palace.

After the swearing-in, Ghani said, "We are tired of wars. We want peace.” But the Taliban had some other plans.

Just before Ghani’s oath ceremony, a suicide blast targeted a security checkpoint near Kabul airport killing four.

Reports claim that Taliban might be behind the attacks.

Ashraf Ghani’s swearing-in as the new president of Afghanistan is the first peaceful transition of power in the country in more than 100 years.

The ceremony ended months of turmoil over a controversial election in which two candidates claimed they had won.

Ghani succeeds Hamid Karzai, who leaves amid questions about corruption, incompetence, and instransigence within his outgoing government.

Ghani and his rival, Abdullah Abdullah, both claimed to have won the June 14 election, which was considered tainted by fraud.

The two men eventually agreed to a national unity government under pressure from the U.S. and the United Nations.

Abdullah becomes the country’s chief executive, a position similar to prime minister.

Ghani Ahmadzai faces challenges across his war-torn nation, including continued attacks from Taliban insurgents and other militants.