Afghanistan Violence Casts Shadow Over Inauguration

Terrorist violence threatened the Afghanistan presidential inauguration Monday.

As newly elected Afghan President Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai was sworn into office, two bomb attacks killed at least 12 civilians and police officers on the road to the inaugural palace. The road connects the main airport to the palace.

Ahmadzai called out the terrorists, asking them to lay down their weapons. He also said he'll sign a status of forces agreement with the United States.

"We are tired of war. Our message is peace, [but] this doesn't mean we are weak," Ahmadzai said in a televised address.

His first move as president was to swear in Abdullah Abdullah, his election competitor, as chief executive. The move fulfilled a political pledge Ahmadzai had taken to share power and defuse election tensions between the country's north and south.

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

Many Afghans are hoping the new president will be able to bring peace to the region.