Afghan President Hamid Karzai sworn in for second term

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KABUL, Nov 19 (Reuters): Afghan President Hamid Karzai, battling to rebuild a tarnished reputation, was sworn into office for a second five-year term on Thursday, as he faced renewed criticism from Washington over corruption.
Karzai's inauguration came against the backdrop of a rising Taliban insurgency, doubts over his legitimacy after an election tainted by fraud and complaints his government is riddled with corruption and mismanagement.
"I swear to obey and safeguard the provisions of the sacred religion of Islam, to observe the constitution and other laws of Afghanistan and supervise their implementation," Karzai said in front of foreign and Afghan dignitaries in his palace in Kabul.
Hillary Clinton, in her first visit to Afghanistan as US secretary of state, said Washington would support the new government but expected serious results in combating corruption and building an "accountable, transparent government."
"Well, we are asking that they follow through on much of what they have previously said, including putting together a credible anti-corruption governmental entity," Clinton told reporters en route to Kabul.
"They've done some work on that, but in our view, not nearly enough to demonstrate a seriousness of purpose to tackle corruption," she said.
Kabul announced the creation this week of a major crimes task force and anti-graft unit.
A decision by US President Barack Obama on whether to send tens of thousands of extra troops to combat the Taliban partly depends on whether he can trust Karzai to press ahead seriously with reforms.
Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, the most prominent foreign leader at the ceremony, watched Karzai's inauguration with foreign ministers from Britain, France and Turkey.
Kabul's streets were deserted early on Thursday with armored vehicles blocking off major roads. Security officers were even stopping people from walking on the streets.
The government has declared Thursday a holiday and reporters were barred from attending the swearing-in ceremony.
"They should all go to hell ... What's happened in the last five years? It will just be the same again," said Mohammed Shah, as he struggled to make his way back home.
Attention is focused on Karzai's inauguration speech, which US and Western officials hope he will use to announce concrete steps to fight corruption and govern better.