KABUL, Dec 19: Former warlords, ex-communists, Taliban defectors and women activists were sworn in on Monday as members of the first Afghan parliament in more than 30 years amid hopes of national reconciliation after decades of bloodshed.

The inauguration was peaceful despite threats by Taliban guerrillas and was greeted with tears of emotion although there is disappointment that many in the parliament are accused of serious rights abuses and links to the drugs trade.

“This meeting is a sign of us regaining our honour,” President Hamid Karzai said after swearing in the 351 lower and upper house members.

“This homeland will exist for ever!” he declared, prompting tears from many delegates.

Karzai urged national reconciliation after almost three decades of warfare and reiterated a call to the Taliban to abandon their insurgency, which has intensified in the past year despite his efforts to encourage defections.

“Let me tell the world that Afghanistan is rising from the ashes of invasion and will live forever,” Karzai said. “Parliament is crucial for the establishment of a safe and secure country,” he said, paying his respects to people who “lost their souls for the freedom of Afghanistan.”

Karzai thanked the international community, in particular Pakistan, for help with reconstruction and counter-terrorism.—Agencies