December 23, 2001	Sunday	Shawwal 7, 1422

MOSCOW, Dec 22: Russia welcomed the formal transition of power in Afghanistan to a UN-backed administration on Saturday, saying it hoped the event would help usher in a peaceful future for the war-ravaged country.

Hamid Karzai took the helm of the interim government at a ceremony in Kabul, blessed by the United Nations to start rebuilding the central Asian country after 28 years of war.

“Moscow welcomes the event, considering it as the beginning of the process of establishment of a peaceful Afghanistan, free of terrorism and drugs,” Russia’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

“Today, as the perspective of a radical improvement of the situation in Afghanistan is taking shape, Russia intends to promote a comprehensive political settlement, the ministry said.—Reuters