Karzai's inauguration to be held amid tough security
14:36 17/11/2009 KABUL (RIA Novosti) - The inauguration of re-elected Afghan President Hamid Karzai will be held in Kabul on November 19 amid unprecedented security measures.
A defense ministry source told RIA Novosti that air traffic at the capital's international airport will be stopped completely on November 18 and 19, with an exception made for national carriers taking Hajj pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.
Traffic in the city's central districts will be limited on Wednesday, while on Thursday the whole city will be closed to unauthorized vehicles. Police units and armored vehicles have already been deployed on the city's main streets and crossroads.
International troops at NATO-led ISAF military bases in Kabul and its outskirts have been put on full combat alert.
Security has been toughened at the offices of international organizations and missions working in Kabul, while all international staff have been recommended to stay indoors.
The inauguration ceremony will be held on Thursday morning in the presidential palace, and will be attended by senior diplomats from Russia, the U.K., France, Italy, Canada, Germany, Turkey, Sweden, Lithuania, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, the U.A.E., and the U.S. The Pakistani president and India's vice president are also expected.
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