Roundup: Karzai Sweeps to Power as Head of Transitional Government

Home>>World

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, June 14, 2002

Roundup: Karzai Sweeps to Power as Head of Transitional Government

Afghan interim leader Hamid Karzai won an overwhelming victory in the election of the head of the transitional government with 1,295 votes in a secret ballot late Thursday.

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

Afghan interim leader Hamid Karzai won an overwhelming victory in the election of the head of the transitional government with 1,295 votes in a secret ballot late Thursday.

"I'm really honored to be elected as the leader of the transitional government," said Karzai, surrounded by supporters after Chairman of the Loya Jirga Professor Ismael Qasemyar announced the result. "Thank you for your confidence in me."

"I will serve my mujahid country," he said, expressing his thanks to the holy martyrs who fought bravely against the invasionof the former Soviet Union.

Masoud Jalal, the first woman candidate to the leader of the transitional government in the Afghan history, was expected to gain some votes from supporters of former king Mohammad Zahir Shah,but it turned out that she staged little challenge to Karzai and gained only 171 votes.

Non-famous Mir Mohammad Mahfoz Nedaye proved to be toothless and got only 89 votes.

The transitional government will replace the interim administration on June 22, which was installed last December underthe power-sharing Bonn Agreement.

In the past six months, Karzai, an energetic Pashtun leader, guided the war-ravaged country through thorns and made substantialefforts in consolidating peace and stability, helping children back to school, eradicating poppies and facilitating the public health care.

Moreover, Karzai showed his talents in dealing with different ethnic groups and factions in Afghanistan and also won the endorsement of the international community. All these gave him a strong boost in the election.

Karzai will lead the transitional government in the coming 18 months until the first nationwide general election in Afghanistan.

Questions?Comments? Click here

Karzai Officially Nominated As Head of State

Karzai: Afghan People Want Lasting Peace

China's Annual Mineral Exports, Imports Tops US$100 Billion ( 3 Messages)

Taiwan Media Reveals US Submarine Sale to Taiwan ( 10 Messages)

Jiang Hopes US to Creat a "Good Climate" for Sino-US Relations ( 3 Messages)

Sino-Russian Ties Curb US Pressures: News Analysis ( 2 Messages)

China Likely to Launch the Lowest SAR in the World ( 8 Messages)