KABUL, Dec 22: Afghanistan’s new leader said on Saturday he had accepted an invitation by US President George W. Bush to visit the United States.

“I am glad to accept the invitation of President Bush which was extended to me yesterday,” Hamid Karzai told his first news conference in Kabul’s ornate presidential palace hours after being inaugurated as the country’s interim leader.

The US Special Envoy to Afghanistan, James Dobbins, said on Friday that he had delivered Karzai an invitation from Bush to visit Washington early next year.

Dobbins said the United States would immediately recognize Karzai’s interim administration, which will govern for six months, as the government of Afghanistan.—Reuters