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New interim government in Afghanistan

Afghanistan's new leader, Hamid Karzai, says he's determined to break the country's cycle of war.

In his first press conference following the inauguration of his government, Mr Karzai said his priority will be to restore peace.

Eric Campbell reports from the Afghan capital Kabul.

Hamid Karzai handled his first press conference like a seasoned politician, spelling out his priorities in three different languages. 'Afghanistan must build from an economy of war to an economy of peace. And those people who could earn a living by taking a gun, must be enabled through programmes, through plans, through projects, to put the gun aside.' But, the 44-year-old Pashtun tribal leader may only have six-months to implement improvements. His interim administration will rule Afghanistan until June, preparing it for a council of traditional elders who will draw up a new constitution.

23/12/01 11:01:11 | ABC Radio Australia News

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